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Ending racial discrimination in jury selection can be accomplished only by eliminating peremptory challenges entirely.

quote by Thurgood Marshall
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Trial by Jury

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

THE LEARNED JUDGE
THE PLAINTIFF
THE DEFENDANT
COUNSEL FOR THE PLAINTIFF
USHER
FOREMAN OF THE JURY
ASSOCIATE
FIRST BRIDESMAID

SCENE - A Court of Justice, Barristers, Attorney, and Jurymen
discovered.

CHORUS

Hark, the hour of ten is sounding:
Hearts with anxious fears are bounding,
Hall of Justice, crowds surrounding,
Breathing hope and fear--
For to-day in this arena,
Summoned by a stern subpoena,
Edwin, sued by Angelina,
Shortly will appear.

Enter Usher

SOLO - USHER

Now, Jurymen, hear my advice--
All kinds of vulgar prejudice
I pray you set aside:
With stern, judicial frame of mind
From bias free of every kind,
This trial must be tried.

CHORUS

From bias free of every kind,
This trial must be tried.

[During Chorus, Usher sings fortissimo, "Silence in Court!"]

USHER Oh, listen to the plaintiff's case:
Observe the features of her face--
The broken-hearted bride.
Condole with her distress of mind:
From bias free of every kind,
This trial must be tried!

[...] Read more

poem by William Schwenck Gilbert
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A Satease Poem

These Sirene's, These things, These fene's!
keep Appearing when, I see them! then! they!
turn into hymns of horrible scenes! right away!
As I describe below, for ever more, I do emplore!
These sirene's these things, these fene's!
in their horrible scenes! of racial discrimination against
people of color and women.
Where public agencies and schools to use loose Goals
of timetables to! address racial in gender disparities
As humans we all need equal opportunity!
Measures to allow race and gender to be considered
for decisions on promotion better agencies on hiring!
promotion, public schools enrollment! and to reverse
discrimination and affirmative action programs to ensure
a fair criteria for all human applicants!
Available jobs to be advertised for Both men and women!
We need afffirmative action to create a level playing field!
And no more some may not receive the advantage they've
had use to having!
And no racial discrimination and preference have no priviledge
remedy for discrimination never more, no never, for ever,
ever more! I'll emplore! Enough stuff from these sirene's
these things, these fene's,
from their horrible scene's!

poem by Henry Tolliver
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Damages, Two Hundred Pounds

Special Jurymen of England! who admire your country's laws,
And proclaim a British Jury worthy of the realm's applause;
Gayly compliment each other at the issue of a cause
Which was tried at Guildford 'sizes, this day week as ever was.

Unto that august tribunal comes a gentleman in grief,
(Special was the British Jury, and the Judge, the Baron Chief,)
Comes a British man and husband—asking of the law relief;
For his wife was stolen from him—he'd have vengeance on the thief.

Yes, his wife, the blessed treasure with the which his life was
crowned,
Wickedly was ravished from him by a hypocrite profound.
And he comes before twelve Britons, men for sense and truth renowned,
To award him for his damage, twenty hundred sterling pound.

He by counsel and attorney there at Guildford does appear,
Asking damage of the villain who seduced his lady dear:
But I can't help asking, though the lady's guilt was all too clear,
And though guilty the defendant, wasn't the plaintiff rather queer?

First the lady's mother spoke, and said she'd seen her daughter cry
But a fortnight after marriage: early times for piping eye.
Six months after, things were worse, and the piping eye was black,
And this gallant British husband caned his wife upon the back.

Three months after they were married, husband pushed her to the door,
Told her to be off and leave him, for he wanted her no more.
As she would not go, why HE went: thrice he left his lady dear;
Left her, too, without a penny, for more than a quarter of a year.

Mrs. Frances Duncan knew the parties very well indeed,
She had seen him pull his lady's nose and make her lip to bleed;
If he chanced to sit at home not a single word he said:
Once she saw him throw the cover of a dish at his lady's head.

Sarah Green, another witness, clear did to the jury note
How she saw this honest fellow seize his lady by the throat,
How he cursed her and abused her, beating her into a fit,
Till the pitying next-door neighbors crossed the wall and witnessed it.

Next door to this injured Briton Mr. Owers a butcher dwelt;
Mrs. Owers's foolish heart towards this erring dame did melt;
(Not that she had erred as yet, crime was not developed in her),
But being left without a penny, Mrs. Owers supplied her dinner—
God be merciful to Mrs. Owers, who was merciful to this sinner!

Caroline Naylor was their servant, said they led a wretched life,
Saw this most distinguished Briton fling a teacup at his wife;
He went out to balls and pleasures, and never once, in ten months'

[...] Read more

poem by William Makepeace Thackeray
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Truly, the challenges we face are not Democratic challenges or Republican challenges. In fact, they are not political challenges at all; they are fiscal challenges, and educational challenges, and the challenges of figuring out how to take care of each other.

quote by Christine Gregoire
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Walk In The Night 2

Walk in the night
Walk in the night of peace
Walk in the serene night
And prove the theories of
The pseudo scientists wrong
Walk in the with God on your side
Walk in the night
And I swear I will be your devout
Disciple and you will be the guru
Of inter racial harmony and with you
We shall rock the bastions of
Racial supremacy
To their flimsy foundations
Walk in the night and
The dreams of your clean
Mind shall seep into
Your soul and you
Will be saved by the Lord
Take my hand
And walk with confidence
In the black star filled night
Walk into the heart of
The black night of
My black lover's night
Walk in the trouble free night
You might have heard some stories
It is the people with ultra
Motives who paint
The night black
And they blacken the good
Name of the night
And the stereotypes about
The night become entrenched
In our minds and that's
Where racism takes root
Walk in the night of the home
Of the array of the black stars
Walk in the night under
The prevailing darkness of the night
Clearly let your thoughts flow
In the deep dark forest of the night
Walk with me in the night and you
Will see that I mean you no harm
Allow my child and your child to play
Together in the night and let them
Learn to trust each other
Walk in the night with my friend's
Friend and rid your minds of the
Stereotypes of racial hatred
That you have accumulated through

[...] Read more

poem by Ngaka Motaung
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An Index Of Racism For Your Reference

Sexism • Ageism
Religious intolerance • Xenophobia

Ableism • Adultism • Biphobia • Classism
Elitism • Ephebiphobia • Gerontophobia
Heightism • Heterosexism • Homophobia
Lesbophobia • Lookism • Misandry
Misogyny • Pediaphobia • Sizeism
Transphobia

Slavery • Racial profiling • Lynching
Hate speech • Hate crime
Genocide (examples) • Ethnocide
Ethnic cleansing • Pogrom • Race war
Religious persecution • Gay bashing
Blood libel • Paternalism
Police brutality
Race / Religion / Sex segregation
Apartheid • Redlining • Internment
Bigotry • Prejudice • Supremacism
Intolerance • Tolerance • Diversity
Multiculturalism • Oppression
Political correctness
Reverse discrimination • Eugenics
Racialism •
An index of Remedies

Emancipation • Civil rights
Desegregation • Integration
Equal opportunity
Affirmative action • Racial quota
Reservation (India) • Reparation
Forced busing
Employment equity (Canada)
Anti-miscegenation • Anti-immigration
Alien and Sedition Acts • Jim Crow laws
Black codes • Apartheid laws
Ketuanan Melayu • Nuremberg Laws
Anti-discrimination acts
Anti-discrimination law
14th Amendment • Crime of apartheid
Adultcentrism • Gynocentrism
Androcentrism • Economic

We are one big family of Humanity...
Do you have the index of Humanity?

poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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The Hunting of the Snark: An Agony in Eight Fits

Fit the First.
THE LANDING

"Just the place for a Snark!" the Bellman cried,
As he landed his crew with care;
Supporting each man on the top of the tide

By a finger entwined in his hair.
"Just the place for a Snark! I have said it twice:
That alone should encourage the crew.
Just the place for a Snark! I have said it thrice:

What I tell you three times is true."
The crew was complete: it included a Boots—
A maker of Bonnets and Hoods—
A Barrister, brought to arrange their disputes—

And a Broker, to value their goods.
A Billiard-marker, whose skill was immense,
Might perhaps have won more than his share—
But a Banker, engaged at enormous expense,

Had the whole of their cash in his care.
There was also a Beaver, that paced on the deck,
Or would sit making lace in the bow:
And had often (the Bellman said) saved them from wreck,

Though none of the sailors knew how.
There was one who was famed for the number of things
He forgot when he entered the ship:
His umbrella, his watch, all his jewels and rings,

And the clothes he had bought for the trip.
He had forty-two boxes, all carefully packed,
With his name painted clearly on each:
But, since he omitted to mention the fact,
They were all left behind on the beach.

The loss of his clothes hardly mattered, because
He had seven coats on when he came,
With three pairs of boots—but the worst of it was,
He had wholly forgotten his name.

He would answer to "Hi!" or to any loud cry,
Such as "Fry me!" or "Fritter my wig!"
To "What-you-may-call-um!" or "What-was-his-name!"
But especially "Thing-um-a-jig!"

While, for those who preferred a more forcible word,
He had different names from these:

[...] Read more

poem by Lewis Carroll (1876)
Added by Veronica Serbanoiu
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The Hunting of the Snark

Fit the First
THE LANDING

'Just the place for a Snark!' the Bellman cried,
As he landed his crew with care;
Supporting each man on the top of the tide
By a finger entwined in his hair.

'Just the place for a Snark! I have said it twice:
That alone should encourage the crew.
Just the place for a Snark! I have said it thrice:
What i tell you three times is true.'

The crew was complete: it included a Boots--
A maker of Bonnets and Hoods--
A Barrister, brought to arrange their disputes--
And a Broker, to value their goods.

A Billiard-maker, whose skill was immense,
Might perhaps have won more than his share--
But a Banker, engaged at enormous expense,
Had the whole of their cash in his care.

There was also a Beaver, that paced on the deck,
Or would sit making lace in the bow:
And had often (the Bellman said) saved them from wreck,
Though none of the sailors knew how.

There was one who was famed for the number of things
He forgot when he entered the ship:
His umbrella, his watch, all his jewels and rings,
And the clothes he had bought for the trip.

He had forty-two boxes, all carefully packed,
With his name painted clearly on each:
But, since he omitted to mention the fact,
They were all left behind on the beach.

The loss of his clothes hardly mattered, because
He had seven coats on when he came,
With three pairs of boots--but the worst of it was,
He had wholly forgotten his name.

He would answer to 'Hi!' or to any loud cry,
Such as 'Fry me!' or 'Fritter my wig!'
To 'What-you-may-call-um!' or 'What-was-his-name!'
But especially 'Thing-um-a-jig!'

While, for those who preferred a more forcible word,
He had different names from these:

[...] Read more

poem by Lewis Carroll
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Discrimination Here's You Come and Go

Discrimination’s like a snake
Its teeth in poisoned prejudice,
Causing ache

Discrimination abolished all warmth and spirit
And returned with a new hate
Relishing its pain brought
Never thought of halt

Hey
Discrimination’s the new law
Stony and steel and
Square without feelings
Like window frames
Of the Hall
In court

I wonder where the White’s Purity all gone.

Tears and Fears
Now the norm
In the name
Of discrimination

now
Gladly Discrimination has gone
Kicked out hard,
square and fair

Yet-
It left a hole
In everyone’s hearts.

poem by Jixin Gao
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Conversation with Lord Krishna - VIII (Fiction)

I: Some are engaged in the refurbishing of culture, religion etc., and feel but for them nothing happens and feel they are superior to ordinary folks like me and they many times completely forget You and take credit for all their achievements and also are hijacking Indian culture for selfish purposes. Why are You allowing this and are not ridding them of their illusion and uncultured acts?

Lord Krishna: All actions are inspired by rajo guna. Such persons will have such tendencies. I will enter when they are completely masked by illusion, and I shall do the needful for the society.

I: You said that you know all subjects, skills, fine arts and languages? How is it possible?

Lord Krishna: Know that I am saastra yoni, the womb of all knowledge. Know that I am silence, the essence of all the languages. Languages in the form of meanings, sentences, words and expressions originate and dissolve in silence thus enabling you to know, cognize, perceive, intuit, experience, understand and become knowledgeable, scholars and intellectuals.

I: Numerous sects are available in Hindu religion believing in many Gods and Goddesses. How You reconcile them and maintain harmonious relationship among them? Is there a superior sect in Hinduism?

Lord Krishna: As God it is my duty to keep harmony in society, creation and universe. Not only We, the Gods and Goddesses, manage Hindu sects, but also all religions together.

I: Do You all Gods of all religions meet regularly?

Lord Krishna: Yes We meet and try to reconcile through humane human beings. We will be continuously striving and trying for peaceful coexistence of all human beings of all denominations, nature, other living beings and the whole Universe as a whole.

I: Why You have created caste system? You so clearly claimed about it in Bhagawadgita saying “mayaa srustam..” and took the credit for that.

Lord Krishna: A seer like you put those words in my mouth.

I: Did You not create caste system?

Lord Krishna: When human being is clouded with ego and illusive identity with body and social status, creates and sees these differences; when becomes spiritual, does not see these differences.

I: You again turned vedantic.

Lord Krishna: No, not at all. You have studied and are teaching physics. Can same substance be solid and liquid simultaneously? At a particular time and space it is solid. At the same space or another space at a different time it is liquid. When solid is there liquid ceases to exist and is absent. When liquid is present solid ceases to exist and is absent. Same substance transforms both ways under the influence of energy available and environment. Energy changes and transforms. Delusion as superior or otherwise is influence of maya, the virtual form of mental energy.

Similarly in a particular phase of mind and perception, one is discriminative. The same person in a different phase of mind with insight is above discrimination.

I termed such persons as samadarsinaha in the stanza:

Vidyaa vinaya sampanne
Braahmane gavi hastini
Sunichaiva swapake cha
Panditaaha samadarnihana

Meaning: Learned spiritual people treat great scholars, the realized seers, the cow, the elephant, the dog and the dog eater with same respect.

As long as egos exist so long exist these discriminations.

Even now you are all not treating all human beings equally. White skinned people discriminate against black and brown skinned people. Political parties, regional group leaders and caste champions, all have their own unchallenged reverse discriminations.

Trade union leaders are behaving as caste leaders and created new caste system and are exploiting you.

Even now University teachers, bank employees, daily wage laborers, are all not living equally. And all of them have their own egos and identities. They do not agree all of them are equal. They feel superior or inferior.

And observe nature, you will realize that equality is a myth and nature possesses all kinds of stuff which are not equal but are different and diverse.

Only NGOs and politicians talk about and profess equality even though they breach their own lecturing in action.

[...] Read more

poem by Varanasi Ramabrahmam
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Violence

everyday i get sick
everyday people are sad
some people get worst at day's end
people who use violence
people who are useing racial terms there is currently a racial fight at my school
it needs to stop it has to stop
there is no need, if people dont want racial fights or any racial shit going on then stop
people messing up
if this is what the world has become today imagine what the world is going to be like another day
if there is love in this world i wanna find it

poem by Greg Dills
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Dinner Menu Affected The Bedroom

Insecticides concentrated
in meat and fish cause sterility
Amyloid plaque from meat
and fish... cause senility
The animal fat in meat fish
and dairy
clogs the arteries
reducing sexual
ability
*

PREVENTION OF SEXUAL TRAUMA

Impotence And Animal Flesh

A. CONQUERING IMPOTENCE
Dr. Michael Klaper, Md, in a public speech mentioned that a 25 per
cent blockage of penile arteries from cholesterol (animal fat) accounts for a quadrupled lack of function. Elimination of animal products in many cases returns sexual function. The Physicians' Desk Reference lists sexual dysfunction or impotence as a byproduct of many psychiatric drugs.
(Dr. Klaper is available through archives and live discussion on the web
at
Drs. Neal Barnard MD and Chaitowitz both concurred in this opinion in an
article in May in the Montreal Gazette.
National Public Radio on Sept 9,98 hosted the author of a book on Prozac
who stated that 30 to 40% of users feel a loss of sensation sexually.
Viagra has been correlated to heart attacks. (Eli Lilly and Pfizer
make these 2 drugs.) Fox News reported June 10,98 that Viagra in combination
with nitrates such as sodium nitrate used to color hot dogs can be lethal.
Dr. Drew, MD, host of Loveline, stated one should research the many
antidepressants which cause impotence.
B. CURING BREAST CANCER
(See the Ohio file no.7 under Nonviolent Action for an analysis of
federal and state programs regarding breast cancer.)
The New England Journal of Medicine in November of 1997 stated that
animal fats which become trans-fatty acids are a cause of breast cancer.
The major cause of breast removal in the U.S.is animal products.
(The five countries with the highest rates of breast
cancer have the highest animal product consumption. They are
Scandinavian countries, the U.S. and one other. Women with mastectomies lose
none of their beauty, but they have
a difficult time adjusting. Elimination of the butyric acid in animal
products makes the body more fragrant.
(Other factors in sexual dysfunction are generalized anger, anger with
the partner, low self esteem, general exhaustion, female hormones in animal
products, etc.)
The dietary causes of breast cancer are both the animal products and the
female hormones given to the animals. The Dept. of Defense Health Section in
October did a symposium on the trans fatty acids found in animal products as
a cause of cancer.
The administration's plan to give 450 million dollars to the testing

[...] Read more

poem by O. Anna Niemus
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The Tower Beyond Tragedy

I
You'd never have thought the Queen was Helen's sister- Troy's
burning-flower from Sparta, the beautiful sea-flower
Cut in clear stone, crowned with the fragrant golden mane, she
the ageless, the uncontaminable-
This Clytemnestra was her sister, low-statured, fierce-lipped, not
dark nor blonde, greenish-gray-eyed,
Sinewed with strength, you saw, under the purple folds of the
queen-cloak, but craftier than queenly,
Standing between the gilded wooden porch-pillars, great steps of
stone above the steep street,
Awaiting the King.
Most of his men were quartered on the town;
he, clanking bronze, with fifty
And certain captives, came to the stair. The Queen's men were
a hundred in the street and a hundred
Lining the ramp, eighty on the great flags of the porch; she
raising her white arms the spear-butts
Thundered on the stone, and the shields clashed; eight shining
clarions
Let fly from the wide window over the entrance the wildbirds of
their metal throats, air-cleaving
Over the King come home. He raised his thick burnt-colored
beard and smiled; then Clytemnestra,
Gathering the robe, setting the golden-sandaled feet carefully,
stone by stone, descended
One half the stair. But one of the captives marred the comeliness
of that embrace with a cry
Gull-shrill, blade-sharp, cutting between the purple cloak and
the bronze plates, then Clytemnestra:
Who was it? The King answered: A piece of our goods out of
the snatch of Asia, a daughter of the king,
So treat her kindly and she may come into her wits again. Eh,
you keep state here my queen.
You've not been the poorer for me.- In heart, in the widowed
chamber, dear, she pale replied, though the slaves
Toiled, the spearmen were faithful. What's her name, the slavegirl's?
AGAMEMNON Come up the stair. They tell me my kinsman's
Lodged himself on you.
CLYTEMNESTRA Your cousin Aegisthus? He was out of refuge,
flits between here and Tiryns.
Dear: the girl's name?
AGAMEMNON Cassandra. We've a hundred or so other
captives; besides two hundred
Rotted in the hulls, they tell odd stories about you and your
guest: eh? no matter: the ships
Ooze pitch and the August road smokes dirt, I smell like an
old shepherd's goatskin, you'll have bath-water?
CLYTEMNESTRA
They're making it hot. Come, my lord. My hands will pour it.

[...] Read more

poem by Robinson Jeffers
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Racial abuse

When dead night descends on earth,
It is for sure someone is picked from his berth,
To travel safely to heavenly abode and reside,
Seek permanent refuge with all worries to subside,

Night depict horror, terror in colour black,
No chance to recover and report back,
But when it largely looms over the big horizon,
Big dark forests may feel shame in Amazons,

Nature’s discrimination is well defined,
It has message and meaning well refined,
Never it has narrow aim and not confined,
Always kind to mankind and not fined,

If nature resorts to some kid of discrimination,
The place left is only ground cremation,
It needs no signal for confirmation,
Its impact is always yes in affirmation,

It is difficult to understand term racial,
Beauty may surface even without facial,
Survival may be the question crucial,
But why practice it private or official?

If you can challenge the power supreme?
Steps you take very outdated and extreme,
Only you think that race May extinct,
If you not resort to attack and inflict,

Many nations look so liberal and human,
Advocate the human rights for woman,
Message of love and peace sent across,
But at home they draw the sharp swords,

Who can prove which race is super?
Claim over all and try to keep hand upper,
Can this lead to harmony and avoid unrest,
What course is left then suitable and best?

My head bows in shame and protest,
Not succumb to pressure and contest,
It is not the time for attack and test,
The hard won battle may have more rest,

I continue to suffer agony and plight,
Many flee homes and leave by flight,
May not be the reason so convincing and right,
But dark may always rule over beautiful light,

[...] Read more

poem by Hasmukh Amathalal
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Fit the Sixth ( Hunting of the Snark )

The Barrister's Dream

They sought it with thimbles, they sought it with care;
They pursued it with forks and hope;
They threatened its life with a railway-share;
They charmed it with smiles and soap.
But the Barrister, weary of proving in vain
That the Beaver's lace-making was wrong,
Fell asleep, and in dreams saw the creature quite plain
That his fancy had dwelt on so long.

He dreamed that he stood in a shadowy Court,
Where the Snark, with a glass in its eye,
Dressed in gown, bands, and wig, was defending a pig
On the charge of deserting its sty.

The Witnesses proved, without error or flaw,
That the sty was deserted when found:
And the Judge kept explaining the state of the law
In a soft under-current of sound.

The indictment had never been clearly expressed,
And it seemed that the Snark had begun,
And had spoken three hours, before any one guessed
What the pig was supposed to have done.

The Jury had each formed a different view
(Long before the indictment was read),
And they all spoke at once, so that none of them knew
One word that the others had said.

"You must know--" said the Judge: but the Snark exclaimed "Fudge!"
That statute is obsolete quite!
Let me tell you, my friends, the whole question depends
On an ancient manorial right.

"In the matter of Treason the pig would appear
To have aided, but scarcely abetted:
While the charge of Insolvency fails, it is clear,
If you grant the plea 'never indebted'.

"The fact of Desertion I will not dispute:
But its guilt, as I trust, is removed
(So far as relates to the costs of this suit)
By the Alibi which has been proved.

"My poor client's fate now depends on your votes."
Here the speaker sat down in his place,
And directed the Judge to refer to his notes
And briefly to sum up the case.

[...] Read more

poem by Lewis Carroll
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Part 8 of Trout Fishing in America

A RETURN TO THE COVER OF

THIS BOOK

Dear Trout Fishing in America:

I met your friend Fritz in Washington Square. He told me

to tell you that his case went to a jury and that he was acquit-

ted by the jury.

He said that it was important for me to say that his case

went to a jury and that he was acquitted by the jury,

said it again.

He looked in good shape. He was sitting in the sun. There's

an old San Francisco saying that goes: "It's better to rest in

Washington Square than in the California Adult Authority. "

How are things in New York?

Yours,

"An Ardent Admirer"

Dear Ardent Admirer:

It's good to hear that Fritz isn't in jail. He was very wor-

ried about it. The last time I was in San Francisco, he told

[...] Read more

poem by Richard Brautigan
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Taste Life's Perfume with incense kindled at the Muse's flame - Modus Vivendi

Mind bright is masked by magic, vibrant charm,
awareness keen seeks change of scene, sea change.
Unique potential seeds extensive range,
dreams space, needs time, autonomy, finds calm
extracting from life's vigour soothing balm.
Modus vivendi ventures, tests exchange,
authenticity attains, where naught seems strange,
undaunted by life's challenges, spurns qualms,
detects through radar all who might do harm
eliminating those unworthy who
mock trust, too often are unable to
add without taking more, threats to disarm.
Undeterred, rise 'far from madding crowd'
determine choice, voice deepest thoughts aloud.

(c) Jonathan Robin acrostic sonnet written 16 April 2008 revised 20 May 2008 for previous version see below

'Maude Us Vivendi'

Magic smile masks mind behind the charm
Always aware, observant, seeking change.
Unique talents need extensive range
Dream of space, autonomy and calm
Extracting from life's vigour soothing balm.
Modus vivendi often finds it strange
As few attain an authentic exchange.
Undaunted, though, her intuition's arm
Detects by radar all who might do harm
Eliminating those unworthy who
Mock trust, and often are unable to
Add without taking more. These she'd disarm
Undeterred, far from the crowd she'd rise
DEtermined to win through to joyous skies...

(c) Jonathan Robin acrostic sonnet written 16 April 2008

poem by Jonathan Robin
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Discrimination

Racism a nasty word
that conjures thoughts
of oppressive deeds
made by man because
of creed.
Discrimination another one
that binds our minds
and sharpens tongues
because of some elitist thought
that's unjust and plainly wrong.
Fighting wars because of God?
Trampling on the underdog.
But we have legislation
to banish discrimination.
'Equal opportunity'
is the current phrase; our incantation.

The rules and laws
are needed where
some of us would dare
to think in ways that denigrate
others on this Earth; our place.
Racism? There is just one human race
no matter what form the face.
And discrimination
a faculty we all posses
to separate what's bad from best.
Discrimination would be good
if it were used for what it does;
revealing what unites ALL of us.

poem by David Taylor
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Humanitarian Sect

Be it overwhelmingly tall; or be it the shortest man
on this astronomically majestic Universe,

Be it preposterously obese; or be it a marvelously
perfect angel with gloriously sparkling body contours,

Be it robustly pink; or be it the most horrendously
ungainly looking man wandering on the trajectory of
this mesmerizing planet,

Be it an impeccable messiah; or be it the most
salaciously manipulative entity; entangled in a web of
commercially bizarre malice,

O! Yes; Be it any religion or even the most oblivious
of dialect; the color of blood running in everybody’s
veins was a poignant scarlet; so c’mon mates lets
relinquish baseless discrimination forever; and
immortally bond ourselves; in the everlastingly
priceless HUMANITARIAN SECT….

2….

Be it incomprehensibly penurious; or be it an organism
blessed with all the unfathomable embellishment of
this earth,

Be it immaculately white; or be it a human more
horrifically blacker than sordid charcoal in veritable
complexion,

Be it an insipidly inconspicuous laggard; or be it the
most stupendously fastest and euphoric man on this
boundless Universe,

Be it ominously infertile; or be it the most
articulately blossoming artist evolving insatiably
compassionate enigma; on every step that he blissfully
transgressed,

O! Yes; Be it any continent or even the most oblivious
of dialect; the color of blood running in everybody’s
veins was a poignant scarlet; so c’mon mates lets
relinquish baseless discrimination forever; and
immortally bond ourselves; in the everlastingly
priceless HUMANITARIAN SECT….

2…

Be it irrefutable Hindu; or be it a resolute

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poem by Nikhil Parekh
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Pharsalia - Book IX: Cato

Yet in those ashes on the Pharian shore,
In that small heap of dust, was not confined
So great a shade; but from the limbs half burnt
And narrow cell sprang forth and sought the sky
Where dwells the Thunderer. Black the space of air
Upreaching to the poles that bear on high
The constellations in their nightly round;
There 'twixt the orbit of the moon and earth
Abide those lofty spirits, half divine,
Who by their blameless lives and fire of soul
Are fit to tolerate the pure expanse
That bounds the lower ether: there shall dwell,
Where nor the monument encased in gold,
Nor richest incense, shall suffice to bring
The buried dead, in union with the spheres,
Pompeius' spirit. When with heavenly light
His soul was filled, first on the wandering stars
And fixed orbs he bent his wondering gaze;
Then saw what darkness veils our earthly day
And scorned the insults heaped upon his corse.
Next o'er Emathian plains he winged his flight,
And ruthless Caesar's standards, and the fleet
Tossed on the deep: in Brutus' blameless breast
Tarried awhile, and roused his angered soul
To reap the vengeance; last possessed the mind
Of haughty Cato.

He while yet the scales
Were poised and balanced, nor the war had given
The world its master, hating both the chiefs,
Had followed Magnus for the Senate's cause
And for his country: since Pharsalia's field
Ran red with carnage, now was all his heart
Bound to Pompeius. Rome in him received
Her guardian; a people's trembling limbs
He cherished with new hope and weapons gave
Back to the craven hands that cast them forth.
Nor yet for empire did he wage the war
Nor fearing slavery: nor in arms achieved
Aught for himself: freedom, since Magnus fell,
The aim of all his host. And lest the foe
In rapid course triumphant should collect
His scattered bands, he sought Corcyra's gulfs
Concealed, and thence in ships unnumbered bore
The fragments of the ruin wrought in Thrace.
Who in such mighty armament had thought
A routed army sailed upon the main
Thronging the sea with keels? Round Malea's cape
And Taenarus open to the shades below
And fair Cythera's isle, th' advancing fleet

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poem by Marcus Annaeus Lucanus
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