On Black Life

By Lionel Roberts

Life experiences stimulates one to think about what really matters. The poems share thoughts about Black leaders, men, women, children, our accomplishments, and our struggle. When reading and reflecting on what is expressed, the intent is for you to recognize that personal transformation is a decision and commitment to consistently engage actions that enables one to identify their authentic best self.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781663250292

Lionel Roberts

As a scholar on the topics of history, politics, race and class, the human experience stimulates his interest in what motivates desires between men and women. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Lionel Roberts completed his primary education before immigrating to the United States where he attended Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Brooklyn, New York. He went on to Adelphi University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History. He was also a member of the varsity soccer team. He further is expertise in American History at Hofstra University where he earned a Masters. He began doctoral studies at Howard University but, decided to pursue his business interest both domestic and abroad. Extensive travel in Western Europe, from Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Holland, France, Belgium, and Spain lead to the development of Kanemia & Associates an international consultant business. South Africa is included in his travels. Lionel’s desire to share his love for politics and history to youth took him into the classrooms of the District of Columbia Public Schools where he was a high school social studies teacher for 14 years and initiated international travel experiences for the students as well. This action was the same with his six children. He continues to reside in Washington, DC, has written three books and is a self trained visual artist.

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Copyright © 2023 Lionel Roberts.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6632-5028-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-5030-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-5029-2 (e)

iUniverse rev. date: 09/25/2023

Contents

Imprints and Legacy

For the Blood of Our Children (A Tribute to Nelson Mandela)

Tribute to Claude McKay

Bigger Thomas (A Tribute to Richard Wright)

Bio

Remember

Langston Hughes, Stand Up!

The Artist (Picasso)

The Blue Mountain (in Jamaica)

Men of Valor

Life Trips

Life

Being Duped

Hip-Hop

No More Mistakes

Save George

In a Land of Virtual Reality

Mama

Pay to Stay

A Street Thing

Solitude

A Paper Rose and a Smile

On Valentine’s Day

Fake Rappers

Hip-Hop Fiend

Expression

An Antidote for Liberation

Nature vs. Man

Sex between the Sexes

Life, Take Two

A Love Lost

Despair

Saving Brothers from Themselves

Children in Crisis

Wake Up

It Ain’t Fun Being Black with No Cash

Sharecropping

Tsunami

Unhappiness in a Marriage

Homeless

Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed

Confused Mothers

The Executioner

Gangs

Mental Misery

Genocidal Dream

Redemption, Progress, and Love

Welcome to a World

If We Must Fight

Fighting for Freedom

I Promise

My Woman

Imagine a World at Peace

You

Ebony

I Still Dream

Love Lost

Barack Obama, We Sing Your Praise

Let’s Go Home and Dance

Dedication

This is the first of three books I have written that exemplifies my curiosity and drive. I want to thank all my family and friends who read and listened to me talk about my vision. To my lovely ladies, Maia Shanklin Roberts, my daughter who first helped me with word processing and labored over decoding my illegible handwritten manuscript; to Pat Booth for processing, Marcia Maine, my beloved cousin for reading, Jennifer Spence for reading and critique, and Ebony Langsford for reading and encouragement. Dr. Janette Johns-Gibson, who read, edited, and urged me daily to publish. Many thanks to a good friend, Colin Channer, who read my work, gave advice, and recommended such books as the Art of Fiction by John Gardener to help me with my craft. To Marie Brown, a wonderful Literary Agent, who read and gave me meaningful advice in developing the issues in this novel. Thanks to my mother, Beryl Roberts, for life and support. Big up Delores and Wayne Kempes Gray, who listened to me daily and gave encouragement. Thanks to Clarice and Modesta for their input. Special thanks to Mrs. Doris Cuffey for typesetting and proofreading the manuscript. Thanks to Ebony Wilson who worked daily and sometime stayed up long hours updating