You and Your Whole Race

Langston  Hughes

You and your whole race.

Look down upon the town in which you live

And be ashamed.

Look down upon white folks   

And upon yourselves   

And be ashamed

That such supine poverty exists there,

That such stupid ignorance breeds children there

Behind such humble shelters of despair—

That you yourselves have not the sense to care

Nor the manhood to stand up and say

I dare you to come one step nearer, evil world,

With your hands of greed seeking to touch my throat, I dare you to come one step nearer me:

When you can say that

 you will be free!

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