Ninety Negro Numbers

Says Who?

Is it the white man truly at fault
For all Africa’s ills?
Any little thing, we exclaim
’Tis caused by the white man –

Says who?

The white man this, the white man that –

Says who!

But he sold us to slavery
Raped our daughters
Brought low our sons
He is the enemy –

Says who?

The white man this, the white man that –

Says who!

But he fashioned the globe
He explodes, we implode
He keeps us hamstrung
Chattels to his pleasure –

Says who?

The white man this, the white man that –

Says who!

But he made apartheid
Kept Mandela in several years
Killed revolutionaries
Lynched Luther King Junior –

Says who?

The white man this, the white man that –

Says who!

O come on! You can’t be that blind
This fellow partitioned Africa
Inspired the civil strives
Painted grim our creeds and cultures –

Says who?

The white man this, the white man that –

Says who!

So tell me, what’s your point?
You apparently cannot deny
All these allegations;
The white man is guilty –

Says who?

The white man this, the white man that –

Says who!

My response is slim
Mother would say on red earth
Never say your oppressor did you in
Or he’ll quip he’s smarter –

Says who?

The white man this, the white man that –

Says who!