EXCERPTS from the writings of Horacio Lewis. Please refer to “PUBLICATIONS” for all references. Contact HDLEWISENTERPRISES.COM for the rest of the story. From "My Life in Verse"
1. I BELONG IN THIS WORLD/ PERTENEZCO A ESTE MUNDO I belong in this world/ Pertenezco a este mundo I refuse to believe/ rehuso creer you are better than me/ que eres mejor que yo this is nonsense you see/ esto es disparate ves When I came to this world/ Cuando llegué a este mundo there was no one like me/ no había nadie como yo the assignment I have/ la asignación que tengo be the best I can be/ ser lo mejor que pueda There are things I should learn/Hay cosas que debo aprender to act right and achieve/ comportarme bien y avanzar to survive in this world/ para sobrevivir en este mundo and contribute my dream/ y contribuir mi sueño I will just be myself/ Seré quien soy in a world that’s diverse/ en un mundo que es diverso it is great to be me/ es gran cosa ser yo I am something to see/ soy algo para ver I will reach out to those/ Extenderé la mano a aquellos who are needing my help/ que necesitan mi ayuda I will fight for the rights/ lucharé por los derechos that I need to be free/ que necesito para ser libre
2. Racism was brought by gringos from north, concerned for one thing, a canal or short, Living in the Zone meant segregation by Americans, in our own nation Whites stuck together, the Zone was their throne, English was required, this written in stone, Yet mi corazón, arroz con pollo, are used for living, and I still means yo Wonderful country, beautiful women, good place to reside, nice place to be men, But now things have gone, from bad to much worse, with an invasion, and more than one hearse
3. Things I could not do, places I couldn't go, times I didn't get food, rent was what we owe', Mi casa we said, to all those who came, es su casa meant, friend and kin are same, This didn't go quite well, for mice heard the call, to eat the few meals, it was free for all, No wonder my kids, today can not see, the three that I have, what food means to me, My boy and girls joke, they don't understand, 'bout the toy I had, their lot is so grand
4. A Castle for My Queen (song) If I could build a castle dear, I would build one for you, not only would it be the best, it would be fun to do Your castle would be very grand, your castle would be right, ‘cause you are oh so wonderful, you are my very light, A castle is appropriate, for you my precious queen, I would design it just for you, the best you’ve ever seen My darling I’ll be true to you , please let me be your king, our love will reign for ever more, you are my everything. karma
5. Where’s the Dawn (song) The time has come to retire the time has come to relax It’s time to set aside the worries of the fax I wish to sleep in I wish to unwind please let me just chill and nobody mind about all the bills they’ve been paid At least that is what I thought ‘till taxes and health became the nightmare that I feared it's a shame I wish to sleep in… I worked all these years I did to get to stage of life when things would be all right oh what strife I wish to sleep in… Now it’s really time to rest for money and health are gone it’s time to say goodbye where’s the dawn I wish to sleep in… Where’s the dawn where’s the dawn where’s the dawn...
6. So let us all live before we are gone and begin the search for a brand new dawn
7. Open Your Eyes (song) Who do you believe in who do you trust it is not too soon to do what you must People come and go so what is the rule life gives much to learn just don’t be a fool there is nothing fair that’s promised to me people tell you things but wait and you’ll see It is when you need them open your eyes folks will disappear yes all but few byes
8. Please Amor (song) It’s your love that I want dame tu amor without it it’s the end perdiré el sabor Come baby come to me vente corazón I beg you can’t you see tenga compassion Yes dear come here el tiempo llegó please don’t hold back que aquí me vengo The time is here al cielo me voy we now are one tú eres quien soy From "100 Poems and Other Impressions"
9. I am who I am because I said so no one knows what I know about me I am an authority on me do not tell me ask me
10. A period two periods ten periods why there is no end life death man woman everything connects nothing is definitive including this here herein heretofore hereafter see seed
11. The written page is not sacred for anyone can write and everything written is based on personal subjective experiences take the written page for what it is worth then decide based on your own experiences to accept or reject then write your own page for others to do likewise you may reject this if you wish
12. Peace tranquility solitude work interruptions making love feeling good work interruptions playing laughing weeping work interruptions sleeping enjoying living work interruptions dying work interruptions
13. Women women women creatures of wonder fascinatingly incredible innocent at heart emotionally honest irremediably appreciative unbelievably Human unforgivably deadly
14. Objectivity is in the subjective eye of the beholder From "Quadrangulated Inequality: Rhymes, Reasons and Trials of a Multicultural Soul"
15. Before my mother took ill, during her final years, she reminisced quite a bit about the kind of person she used to be. She had been an eloquent public speaker and writer, a dynamic person, and excellent teacher, a faith filled person who inspired others. A person who truly made a difference. I always wondered why she didn’t continue to be this person she remembered. She instead was preoccupied with “getting old.” I think a great many people who live to “get old” have survived life and hence, have a great deal to teach the rest of us. One’s contributions to life ought to end only when there is no longer a life to live.
16. …His employer announced the position, and when confronted with the Latino’s outstanding application, decided to close (freeze) the position. His employer instead sent his preferred white candidate away for specialized training. The position was reopened a year later requiring said training. Well guess who got the job? Obviously, if one is committed to discriminate, there are a multiplicity of ways to do so. A claim on this incident was briefly pursued, but abandoned after a realization that this was “typical behavior” of the employer and hence, an effort in futility. Indeed, minorities are less inclined to pursue a claim against their employer for reasons having to do with a lack of knowledge on how to navigate a discrimination complaint through the system, and generally because they need their jobs, and fear retaliation.
17. During a conversation with a white acquaintance regarding my visit to the extraordinary Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, he worried that now “your people,” he told me, would want their own museum. Not knowing which people he was referring to, I nonetheless took the opportunity to inform him that there were indeed plans to develop a National Museum on Slavery; to his dismay, I am sure.
18. A white colleague once complimented me for “always” standing up for minorities. And I do. However, what she failed to realize, and this she was told, is that I stand up for those who are disenfranchised or treated unfairly. It so happens that racial and ethnic minorities in this society are more likely to be oppressed; and that is why one may get the erroneous impression that I “only” stand up for minorities. Equity is everybody’s business! I refuse to be stereotyped, I too want to discuss the problems of “nuclear proliferation…” Heck, I always believed Linda Chavez was a jerk, Clarence Thomas a Tom, and that O.J. was guilty! I have gotten in trouble with more militant Black and Latino colleagues for supporting whites and others when, in my judgment, they are in the right. My definition of fairness goes across the board. I also believe in looking in my own backyard and not ignoring the sty in my own eye.
19. It’s how you behave not color of skin I condemn racism not color you’re in
20. Problem with racism it’s recognized more by those who’re victims than those who ignore And always pretend that folks who complain it’s all in their heads so hard to explain
21. Science I studied kill cancer my dream fighting racism is my current scheme Physical illness a pill can adjust but with bigotry pain continuous
22. Qualifications that’s what it’s about affirmative is the best without a doubt Fairness thoughtfulness part of the process for all candidates provide full access Whites have you no fear listen to me now if you are the best then you must prove how Skin has no purpose but to serve as a wrap evaluation looks under your cap And into your heart who you truly are what you are to be beyond race by far Near four hundred years you are not to blame but your work today is it not a shame Discrimination destroys personhood creates doubt blame rage erases selfhood Dehumanizes “inferiorizes” marginalizes rationalizes
MORE EXCERPTS 23. Was bypassed for job due to skin I wore selection unfair suffering galore I had worked quite hard two decades on job what more could I do who else will they rob I launched my own claim to right what was wrong but no one told me pain pierced like a prong Hunger strike I staged it drew attention to acts racism in job promotion But one thing I found in fighting my case many impacted simply hide their face Makes it easier to discriminate with impunity even segregate First the long process going on five years then hostility hurt plus wear and tears Did get some support from church and oher many however just didn't bother You journey alone put yourself on line with this type of risk you hang on a vine But what's worst of all is having to work under white chosen incompetent jerk Communication was nonexistent since "competencies" are fact resistant Following such talk I became quite ill my bowels left me 'twas against my will I woke up next day the bed had been wet last time I was four I would almost bet Much stress little sleep face began to twitch heart palpitations my job was a bitch Why then was I asked to train my new boss who's more qualified I am at a loss
24. I am reminded of my “minority status” every day…For instance, a large medical organization once asked me to serve on a committee which would advise its [all white] Board of Directors on diversity and community health issues. Indeed, they pleaded with me to serve, saying how valuable my expertise would be to its Board, since I had served on the Governor’s Council on Minority Health…My response was to the point: “If you feel I would be valuable to your Board of Directors, then why are you not inviting me to serve on the Board of Directors.” With my limited time, I refused to be marginalized on some sub-group to the real action. It seemed that even as a “great resource,” I wasn’t good enough for their all white Board of Directors. If diversity had been a commitment, they would have found a way to desegregate their Board rather than create a committee for “show” purposes. The complexion of a governing body speaks louder than words. 25. Blacks, Latinos and other non-whites carry the burden of having to deny their true selves in order to fit in and adjust to racist, ethnocentric environments and behaviors, lest they be ostracized and viewed as some type of militant undeserving of their positions or of being associated with. Quite frankly, this perception remains regardless of our accomplishments or assimilation efforts. Hence, I say be yourself! For what good is it to lose yourself and the job as well? Given the choice, I vote to stay with myself—it’s really all I’ve got in the end. What’s the purpose of life if not to contribute the unequaled self that you are and know. 26. A Black friend of mine, who is a fine writer, talks of having to tone down her “natural style” when she writes in order to be published by the white press. This she says, diminishes her contribution and, hence, shortchanges her readers. Not unlike a Latino friend who takes pride in explaining that in Spanish “I say what I want,” while in English, “I say what I can.”
27. Let us all recognize that without our collective contributions to the building of our society, there would be no United States of America. Let us admit the existence of racism and work toward its eradication, however, let us not accuse anyone of being a “racist” unless there is consistent evidence to indicate such. And though a thorough comprehension of the institution of slavery should inform present and future interpersonal relationships, it should be taken for what it is—History, and must not “color” our perception of others. Moreover, let us not blame all our societal and personal failures on racism and instead take responsibility for the positive things we can do to improve our condition and the plight of others. 28. Successful Latinos and Blacks are angry because they are judged by a different yardstick, always having to prove themselves, and because they are viewed as inferior to whites. When I asked an employer why I didn’t get a particular promotion for which I was most qualified, he mumbled something about my needing to demonstrate my capabilities for another year, or so, before I could be considered—even after years of outstanding performance evaluations. And he added that I was “not a team player.” Did he know anything about me, or was I just another inconsequential minority to deal with?
29. What he failed to understand is that I wouldn’t have survived in his predominantly white agency if I hadn’t suppressed much of myself by “team playing” even though I was never accepted as part of the team to begin with. Ironically, if you are not “part of “ of a team, it takes great skills to be a “team player.” 30. With less tenure than I had, and therefore less opportunity to demonstrate true capabilities, the white employee who got the promotion was not viewed as needing to do anything in particular in addition to what had already been done. This prompts the question: When will the workplace be ready to accept and advance Blacks, Latinos and others who are different? And when will non-whites attain full humanhood in our society?
31. This discussion, coupled with the External Redress Group (ERG) model presented in the “Newsletter/Discussion” page in this site, should be of great relevance to the current Delaware State Police quagmire. I am, however, encouraged by the recent bold moves taken by Delaware’s Governor and the new Superintendent of the State Police to recruit, retain and promote diversity without bias. How consistent will they be? Only time will tell. 32. Believe/ Cree Believe/ Cree Believe/ Cree Believe/ Cree Believe in yourself my friend/ Cree en ti mismo mi amigo believe in what you should do/ cree en lo que debes hacer believe for dreams do come true/cree porque sueños se realizan Believe Cree Believe/ cree You and yourself is/ Tú/tu mismo eres all you got/ todo lo que tienes check in the mirror/ mira en el espejo see your lot/ ve tu fortuna don’t let another/ no dejes que nadie tell you what/ te diga lo que you ought to do or/ debes hacer o what you’re not/ lo que eres Believe/ Cree Believe/ cree Once upon a time/ Había una vez you see/ tú ves I was told/ me dijeron that things must be done/ que las cosas debían ser hechas one way/ de una sola manera who should say/ quién debe decir It occurred to me/ Se me ocurrió a mí my friend/ mi amigo I’m in charge/ que estoy encargado I’ll control my life/ controlaré mi vida today/ hoy come what may/ venga lo que venga Believe/ Cree Believe/ Cree Believe/ Cree 33. What’s up with IQ who can measure mind I submit no one it’s one of a kind 34. Let education be the foundation, peace and harmony our destination 35. Go to college if you can but don’t use school as an excuse not to educate yourself 36. Bolero salsa music in my vein tango merengue dancing keeps me sane 37. Si Dios quiere words frequently said to shirk your duties and blame God instead 38. Things changed for Nova when GM got to know no one would drive car, carro that don’t go 39. Carter was lame duck told to Spanish friend meant pato cojo joke to macho men 40. We all have heroes don’t listen to those who say otherwise take yourself a pose Don’t limit yourself open your own mind be your own person decide your own find If others should choose the friends you select will simply reflect the fools you collect 41. Being like someone else denies others of our own examples
42. You are here to shine a light so that others may see their way 43. Shine your life with acts light’s faster than sound see quicker than hear learning simply found 44. What a crying shame with the life of words Some spring from your mouth And grow into turds 45. Play the bullshit game lie in it be a phony kiss ass get out of my way you are beginning to smell 46. What statements are we making with the kind of life we are living 47. Listen twice as much as you talk you will learn twice as much as you know 48. Judge Murray M. Schwartz had given the State of Delaware ample time to get its act together but the State refused to act. Schwartz’s courageous order to desegregate our mostly segregated schools could have been preempted by responsible State legislation or policy, however, the State preoccupied itself with multiple appeals and game-playing (suggesting “one-way”—blacks only—bussing at one point) to avoid what eventually resulted in the inevitable and inequitable nine years of inner city (mostly black) students being bussed to suburban schools and three years of suburban (mostly white) students being bussed to inner city schools. This metropolitan remedy, with provisions for a “bilingual program for limited English proficient Hispanic students,” was preceded by what may be viewed as an attempt to “hurry-up and train/prepare” teachers, et al., just a few months before it all started in the fall of 1978. Unlike most desegregation cases, the State Board of Education (SBE) became the Defendant (later joined by four desegregating districts and, in late 1994, by the Delaware House Desegregation Committee) because the SBE excluded the mostly Black Wilmington School District in the city (the only such minority district in the State) when the SBE and the State Legislature reorganized and ended State “de jure” segregation via a resolution and the Educational Advancement Act during 1965-1968. This prompted Black parents (Plaintiffs) in 1971 to reopen the Evans v. Buchanan case (which officially began in 1956 and followed a 1952 Belton v. Gebhart and Bulah v. Gebhart Delaware school desegregation ruling) claiming the Act violated their constitutional rights under the 14th Amendment. The legal aspect of school desegregation in Delaware ended with a ruling by U.S. District Judge Sue L. Robinson in 1995. From "I Might As Well Move To The Moon"
49. "Well as it turned out, in December of 1974, the Appellate Court ruled in my favor [in the case of Horacio D. Lewis v. Albert P. Nowicki, Heil & Heil, Inc.]. The Chicago Appellate Court reversed the Trial Court and affirmed the holding of the Evanston [Illinois] Fair Housing Review Board in my housing discrimination case. I truly did win this case after all and desegregated a neighborhood in the process. You can too." From "Quadrangulated Inequality" 50. Desegregation great experiment little commitment first check house for rent 51. Your racial category is “human” or earthling or global being 52. Read read read one book two books five articles fill your mind with knowledge information ideas get creative write a book two books five articles 53. Words purport to say what they mean but do they who them no words mean words 54. If you are waiting for another life you may already be dead Live everyday 55. Let us follow the plan of life 56. Black Latinos write of race and dolor while white Latinos use race lust calor 57. We are the sum total of our experiences we create what we are then we blame others who control our experiences who blame our experiences 58. Run run run he is after you wait look around no one is there but then again you may be running from yourself run run run 59. How can we fix it society astray talk less do much more words mostly betray What can we do now to better a wrong give all those a chance it’s been much too long 60. Diversity is the word it’s a salad bowl all participate equity’s the goal 61. Do your best and let it rest PLEASE REFER TO "PUBLICATIONS" PAGE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY. Use links/buttons on this page to view other pages in this site. Contact HDLEWISENTERPRISES.COM FAIRNESS INSTITUTE by writing to horaciolewis18@gmail.com BECOME AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE HDLEWISENTERPRISES.COM FAIRNESS INSTITUTE. HÁGASE MIEMBRO ACTIVA/O DEL INSTITUTO DE IMPARCIALIDAD. horaciolewis18@gmail.com
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