“Finally”

Before my great-great-grandfather, Willy the Great,
Stood up to the white man,
He witnessed a piece of history.
December 6, 1865 the number 13 was no longer an unlucky one,
But a number of hope and future prosperity.
He took his son aside,
Kissed his forehead and whispered in his ear:
“Finally. Finally”

During a time of depression my great-grandfather also witnessed history.
April 15, 1947, Brooklyn, New York was a salt mine as a simple man named
Jackie took his first steps out onto the Dodger’s baseball field.
My great-grandfather took his son aside,
Kissed his forehead and whispered in his ear:
“Finally. Finally”

In an era of complete hatred, where panthers and ghosts roamed the streets,
My grandfather witnessed history.
A selfless King conveyed a speech August 28, 1963
Impacting the attitude and mindset of all peoples.
My grandfather took his son aside,
Kissed his forehead and whispered in his ear:
“Finally. Finally”

In the present day my father takes on the family tradition.
A black man in America, he too witnesses history.
November 4, 2008 he watches the television and sees the number
270 appear on the screen, boldly.
Here’s to you Barack.
At last, with tears in his eyes,
He was able to take his son aside,
Kiss his forehead and whisper in his ear:
“Finally. Finally”

So here I stand articulating to you as a young black man
Colleges, careers, ambitions and dreams;
We can be whatever we want to be.
The possibilities are limitless
Finally. Finally.
Finally. Finally.