Attica Arrest(ed development)
One day, by my driveway
A man in a used sedan was stopped by a cop
for D.W.B. (Driving While Black)
I know this is so because I asked the officer
why the man was pulled over
Officer Smithjones replied,
“He was driving with an impaired view of his windshield.”
Come again?
“He had Mardi Gras beads hanging from his rear view mirror.”
Oh. Then my sharp little pie-eater opened wide,
first muttering, then sputtering, uttered at top volume
(for the benefit of staring, but unconcerned, neighbors):
“All the rednecks in this town with
big fuzzy dice like dried-up 20-mule-team
cajones hanging in their big ole trucks, and
you stopped this man over a string of beads?
And you wonder why people decry we’re a
‘don’t-let-the-sun-set-on-your-ass’ town?”
To make it more poignantly, patently ridiculous,
the poor guy was trying to make his way to AA
Ironic, since that town
almost drove me to drink
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For dverse, our ‘bartender’ Kelvin asked for poems in the form of an anecdote. Keep it short and sweet and interesting. Also for Sunday Scribblings, where the prompt is “sharp.”
I still can’t believe I survived five years in a town where someone flew a Confederate flag in front of his house and the “N” word was used without hesitation. Of course, I have no time for racism and I do call it out. I hate being in a Wonder Bread crowd and people assuming I’m “one of the gang.” I’m social justice, hard core, sharp tongue and all. It loses me friends, but when it does, I say, “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out,” because they were not friends to begin with – friends share values, like integrity.
True story, edited from an old version. Though I knew many wonderful folks during our years there, the authoritarian figures were often racist and WAY out of line. I believe it’s part of the blowback of never having reconciliation sessions after the “Attica Prison Riots” of the ‘70s.
Pamela Smyk Cleary (PSC)
Oh! I love you & your sharp little pencil, Amy! Well done! 🙂
kkkkaty1
good for you!!
Mary
Yes indeed, good that you spoke up!
Rowan Taw
Good for you! People like you are needed in towns like this.
Josie Two Shoes
Leave it to Amy to put the situation in to perspective loud and clear! God, I wish we could clone you!! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
For every wish that I be cloned, there are 10 elected officials who wish I would turn into a cockroach!!! But thanks, Josie and friends!
brian miller
ha. and ugh. there are plenty of confederate flags still flying in these parts…its rather backward in places…think i would rather the beeds over the fuzzy dice…and i am all for questioning misguided authority
Roger Green
Sermon on MLK day at my church was about DWB. There’s a longer story that I should tell sometime…
Grace
Good thing you told him a thing or two ~ I find it hard to believe that discrimination still exists today, but it does ~
Pamela
I knew you would say something, Amelita. You are my girl. Excellent story retold.
Pamela
heidi
Amy! Best closing line of a poem ever! This was awesome.
charlesmashburn
Powerful write, and a powerful story, Amy. Unfortunately, this still exists in many places.
Kelvin S.M.
…that was indeed disturbing Amy… especially knowing the huge impact of the history behind… one thing is clear & sure… you did your part not to tolerate this foolishness… great great great… thanks Amy… smiles…
zongrik
I wonder if he stops people with handicapped plaquards hanging. they aren’t supposed to hang them, and so many do. it’s a pet peeve of mine.
Reactivated
Talon
Sharp, indeed, and pointed…as well as poignant. Loved it.
kimnelsonwrites
Sharp, bright, direct, to the point. Love that you have the gumption to stand up, speak up, against injustice.
claudia
ah i love that you spoke up for him.. and i love that you fight for your values and true what you said about friends as well
oldegg
What a great prompt word for you today! Looking back you would think we have achieved a lot but looking forward we a have still a long, long way to go.
David King
What a cracking last line! It really rounds off a brilliant write.
Sabio Lantz
Fantastic story — how I wish more would speak out so vehemently.
Jae Rose
Well spoken (as ever!)…made me think of Sinead again (‘Black boys on Mopeds’)..
Lisa A.Williams
Sad this kind of thing still goes on, I even see it here in the northeast. Nicely done!
aka_andrea
I hope no one gets lead poisoning at the rate your pencil has flown over these words!
AR Neal
{snaps fingers in appreciation of your poetry} Go, girl! Thank you for saying something…often one finds too many folks in the “observing but doing nothing” peanut gallery. And to Lisa A. Williams–I grew up in NJ and yes, it is prevalent in the northeast. Not done the same as down south, but still. The line about “don’t let the sun set” is true…even now…
Capatin
This makes evihytreng so completely painless.
Berowne
Keep that pie-hole working for justice.
Emma llm calling
fantastic, I want to read more of this 🙂
Bodhirose
I love you, Amy and your sharp-tongued pie eater!
Snakypoet (Rosemary Nissen-Wade)
Good story well told; great ironic ending – but I want to know what happened next!
Laurie Kolp
What a riot.
Teresa
Love this!
Sherry Blue Sky
Strong and sharp, Amy! Love the fuzzy dice comment especially.
Steve King
Amy, I can remember instances like that growing up. An interesting narrative, gracefully drawn, and sharply delivered.
Kerry O'Connor
Those last two lines say it all. Sad that prejudice is still prevalent the world over.
hedgewitch
You tell it, Amy. Plenty of bullies put on a uniform so they can get away with what they couldn’t otherwise.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
Way to use that pie-eater, Amy! I once threw a woman out of the house for referring to Dr. Martin Luther King with the N word!
I’ve never been as angry with either of my ex-husbands as I was with her, drinking morning coffee with me and asking, “Does this country have a holiday for that nigger’s birthday?”
I have no use for such people, especially as she was surprised when I lost my temper. She’s lucky I didn’t have a 2X4 handy or I might have hit her with it.
K
Sharp Little Pencil
Damn, Kay, as I always tell my Riley, “Come the revolution, I want you in my trench!” You are my kind of friend. Why do people in the majority remain silent in the presence of ignorant rednecks? GOOD ON YOU for forcing her exit. I’m glad you didn’t have a 2×4 handy, only because she was not worth an assault charge! Love you, girl. Amy
asteria
Few people have the courage to stand up and speak. Kudos girl.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much for this, Asteria. I’m heading over to your blog now.
I’ve always had a big mouth. It’s gotten me into trouble, but the trouble was worth it, you know?
othermary
Ug – I hate the truth in your words, but love that you say (or write) them. And I also love the words you said the the cop! I understand why this town would drive you to drink – that’s a great closing.
keiths ramblings
Will it ever go away. Much as I wish it would, I somehow doubt it will human nature being what it is.