They say we are "One Nation Under God". Well, then I must be One uncomprehending sod
Because about Every place I look, I see some situation That this concept will not brook.
In cities people group By ancestry And pedigree, And their "nationality" to others they decree:
"I am Italian!", "I'm Polish!" They exclaim. And proudly produce Their long last name.
But then, If to "their country" they "return", Like "Bloody Yanks" they're treated but they just don't learn...
In college cafeterias Young people gather By race criteria Just like them "birds of feather".
Blacks sit with Blacks, And Whites prefer another White, And Asians with their own kind Unite.
And at another table All the Spanish speakers sit So their ideas to a kindred mind They can transmit.
In jails also, into three great congregations The prisoners themselves arrange: The White, the Black and the Hispanic "nations". Ain't it just strange?
Sometimes I wonder if Perhaps, one day Into a few more countries This great country will itself parlay:
"Hispania" and "Asiania" And "Whitia" "Alaskan Nativelandia" and "Native Amerindia" Or "Blackia" and "Caucasania"...
You think I'm kidding' ya?
Somehow we just can't be all 'Americans', Like bears are bears, and pelicans are pelicans- We simply love to sow divisions 'twixt us all And just "Americans" we ourselves refuse to call...
But still they tell us We are One Great Nation Under God For which so many Veterans have shed their blood.
I wonder how those Who for this great Nation their lives surrendered Would feel if they just saw How many separations we've engendered. |