Burden

What's a burden?
A Burden is being forced across the Atlantic to never see your family again. A burden is being lashed in the back for trying to stay true to your heritage. A burden is being raped repeatedly by the master and hoping he keeps your family together because of it. A burden is sharecropping in the fields from sunrise to sunset. A burden is lynchings being as common as Sunday dinner. A burden is "niggers only." A burden is being best friends with the poverty line. A burden is bullets flying at you out of the gun of a man in a white hood. A burden is raising eight kids on grits and eggs. A burden is leaving the Dominican Republic to give your family a shot at that elusive American Dream. A burden is learning how to speak English as a sophmore in high school. A burden is having racial slurs thrown at you and realizing you'll never get along with the cool kids cuz ur from another world. A burden is having a child out of wedlock when you can't even read English. A burden is being disowned by your parents because you have a black baby. A burden is praying to God the projects don't get the best of your kids' minds. A burden is the smell of weed coming in through your bathroom window.
The sacrifices of my lineage, non stop papers, knee surgery, being called another affirmative action statistic, Harvard University, Poughkeepsie High school, Oldest of 7, pressure to lead the family to the promised land, clothing on my back, dreams not to be deferred, optimism as a calling card ... nah man thats a blessing.

Put it in Perspective,
Rob