"What Freedom Means to Me"

"What Freedom Means to Me"

By: William J. Booker

I’m free to live and die, 

in the ghettos of America, 

and I’m free to fight for my country, 

though her liberties don’t mean much.

And I’m free to sponsor her unions; 

no matter how confederate they be, 

and I’m free to enter her prisons, 

for as long as she wants me.

And when she finally releases me, 

out into the streets, 

I’m free to go where ever I want, 

until the police stops me, 

then I’m free to remain silent, 

because it's really hard to breathe,

with your hands around my neck, 

and your partner beating me.

I'm also free, 

to just die here, 

in the middle of the street, 

with the officers 

the judge set free

after killing me.

If this freedom I have 

sounds more like a sham, 

then a speech from Doctor King, 

it is what it is, 

and those are the facts

of what freedom means to me.