| Date: |
Monday, January 1, 2001
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| Question/Topic: |
Booker T, and W.E.B. - poem by Randall Dudley
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| Answer/Pointer: |
Booker T. and W.E.B. [Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois]
"It seems to me," said Booker T. "It seems to me," said Booker T.
"It shows a mighty lot of cheek "That all you folks have missed the boat
To study chemistry and Greek Who shout about the right to vote,
When Mister Charlie needs a hand And spend vain days and sleeless nights
To hot the cotton on his land, In uproar over civil rights.
And when Miss Ann looks for a cook, Just keep your moths shut, do not grouse,
Why stick your nose inside a book?" But work, and save, and buy a house."
"I don't agree," said W.E.B. "I don't agree," said W.E.B.,
"If I should have the drive to seek "For what can property avail
Knowledge of chemistry or Greek, If dignity and justice fail?
I'll do it. Charlie and Miss can look Unless you help to make the laws,
Another place for hand or cook. They'll steal your house with trumped-up clause.
Some men rejoice in skill of hand, A rope's as tight, a fire as hot,
And some in cultivating land, No matter how much cash you've got.
But there are others who maintain Speak soft, and try your little plan,
The right to cultivate the brain." But as for me, I'll be a man."
"It seems to me," said Booker T.---
"I don't agree," said W.E.B.
Source: The Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry, 2nd ed. 1988, p. 887.
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| Librarian: |
LCLCPL
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| Comments: |
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