BENTON HARBOR (A POEM)

: Raphael Adley reads his poem on the steps of the Benton Harbor city hall May 26, 2012.

By Raphael Adley

Whirlpool, what a Wac company

Whirlpool, it’s a natural catastrophe

Whirlpool, it drags you under the sea

what they do to Benton Harbor they can do to you and me.

What have they done to your city?

they took your jobs but not your dignity

your elders sent to rot in prison

they mock his word but he is risen

Terrance Shurn was murdered by BH police in 2003, sparking days of rebellion by the city's youth.

your young lay bleeding in the street

they laugh now but the story’s incomplete

they blindly take what Lincoln restored

we shall not rest while rights are ignored

and its all because of (repeat chorus)

While one amongst us is not free

with no justice no peace can be

they stole your park a golf course to make

Benton Harbor rebellion against police murder of Terrance Shurn, July, 2003

I WANNA SEE EVERY STUPID GOLF CART SIX FEET IN THE LAKE

police and judges and EFM

a conspiracy of terror it’s us vs them

they plotted in darkness but their cover is blown

thank you Rachel Maddow, they will reap as they’ve sown.

Benton Harbor march July 12, 2003, in support of youth rebellion against police murder of Terrance Shurn/Photo:WSWS.org