Black Psychology Closing Rhyme

We’ve come to that point in the semester

Where a final review is done by the professor

I’m here today to give this task some time

And, like you, I’ll do it in rhyme.

My goals this semester were very modest

I wanted to share what I really thought; To be really honest

I’ve come to the conclusion

that most of what we have been taught

Is a bunch of lies, myths and illusions

When it comes to this course, African American Studies

This, is what I have to say:

If we begin at the beginning,

We meet Mitochondrial Eve

She was born in Africa

She was the first to believe

In a power greater than she

This lesson is an important one

Because it tells us who we are

The originators of a species

Now flung near -- and far.

Black Psychology really isn’t about Blacks

Now isn’t that ironic?

It’s about truth--

For miseducation, it’s the right tonic

In retrospect this course did NOT convey

The full richness of a field that is beginning to sway.

So let’s see what can be done, on this, the very last day.

Black psychology takes a look

at the world map

We see its distorted perspectives and wonder

Where did they get that?

Black Psychology is a story of a people

My people, Your people

All people.

Black psychology tells us

That American institutions are racist

But tell me something I do not know.

Like how we can collectively resist.

Black psychology tells us its time to get real

Stop using the Nword

If you want your psyche to heal

Black Psychology is about

struggle and resistance

From the Middle Passage through Slavery through Jim Crow

It is a shameful part of our history

That we all need to know

The bottom line. What is Black Psychology?

Black Psychology is a study of people.

My people, your people, all people.

It names the racialized nature of knowledge

And does the best it can,

To correct the lies, myths and distortions

That permeate our land.

The racist store of knowledge is enough

To make me want to scream

But then I turn to the teachings

Of a man named Na’im.

We learn that we have to take

A different sort of tack

Like the boy who said he wanted

To paint Christ Black.

So, as we part, now,

probably for the very last time.

Let me leave you,

with this little rhyme.

Practice what I’ve taught you,

and I’ll say it again

Habits of Mind,

are the way to begin.

Come to formal settings

with pen and paper in hand

Take copious notes,

and raise your right hand.

Read with activity,

with more notes to prepare

It is through hard work

and perspiration

That your creativity will flair.

When, you write, revise, revise

and revise again.

You’ll see, your final grades

will make you grin.

When you think,

Think outside of the box

And think to solve problems

Of which there are lots.

Lastly, struggle.

Struggle for excellence

Struggle for justice

Struggle for harmony

Struggle for peace

Peace Out!