The Million Man March Commemorative Poem titled: "A Black Man" written by myself two years before the Million Man March.

"A BLACK MAN"

DO NOT LOOK INTO MY FACE AND SEE THE COLOR OF MY SKIN,

AND NOT SEE THE CONTENT OF MY CHARACTER.

DO NOT LOOK INTO MY HISTORY AND SEE THE THE DARKNESS OF MY PAST,

AND NOT SEE THE BRIGHTNESS OF MY FUTURE.

DO NOT LOOK AT THE LOSSES OF MY MISTAKES,

AND NOT SEE THE PROFITS OF MY ACHIEVEMENTS.

DO NOT LOOK AT THE DISTANCE I HAVE YET TO TRAVEL,

AND NOT SEE THE ORIGIN FROM WHICH I HAVE COME.

DO NOT LOOK AT THE FOOLISHNESS OF MY YOUTH,

AND NOT SEE THE WISDOM OF MY OLDER AGE.

DO NOT LOOK AT THE PROVERTY OF MY FAMILY,

AND NOT SEE THE RICHES OF ITS LOVE.

DO NOT LOOK AT THE CHILD I ONCE WAS,

AND NOT SEE THE THE BLACK MAN I HAVE BECOME!

MICHAEL E. MCKINZY, SR. COPYRIGHT 1993