We, Too, Would Gladly Sing America
We, too, would gladly sing, America,
But for those who tell us
Our voices will never be welcome.
We, too, are carpenters, and masons.
Teachers, astronauts, soldiers, police,
The darker brother, the lighter sister.
We, too, pay taxes, and serve on boards.
Our children play in the schoolyard with yours.
They do the same math, and tell adjective from verb.
We, too, shiver, as you stand in your pulpits
Preaching that your god hates us
As did the Jews when Hitler rose,
Climbing to power on their bones
Drinking blood mixed with ashes.
We, too, would gladly sing, Amerika,
But for your insistence that our voices
Are not worthy to be heard.