Something Worth Writing

It saddens me that so few writers tackle our social and cultural issues these days.
Historically, writers have changed the course of history with their abilities to reach the general public and speak to them on a deep level to make them aware and understanding of issues they wouldn't normally consider.

We are facing massive global unrest and injustice permeates every fiber of our human culture these days. We have become great at ignoring selectively what does not affect or interest us personally.
So...

Write me a piece on current events
One "issue" in particular or as many as you choose to cover

It can be about anything that we face as humans today

Environmental or War
Genocide or racism
Loss of freedom
Economics
Ebola

Any current issue

OR!!!! Alternate option
Write a piece on how writers who wrote such pieces changed history
(It happenned much more than you might think)

One week...
One entry each

I don't care if it rhymes or how many words
But make it worth reading and check your spelling

If you don't know the difference between "their" and "they're"
Please find out

All welcome to participate

Inbox me any questions as I have a crazy week and might not check this thread thank you all in advance

Freedom

A popularity contest,
everything is wrong until it's not,

can't open our eyes...
Trying desperately to feed a family.

An actor somewhere, sometime, moved.
some politician has a sex drive.
Serial murders, lock your doors.
A lost dog found it's way home.

Everything is a debate, just as long as your life is
not on the line.

use condoms and don't you dare smoke.

Die in war, give your government
a little cash.

The reality show,
of our leaders.

Choose only to create a stir,
nothing valid.

Form a rebellion, just on par with the iconic
teenager.

A popularity contest, riot only when allowed.

open your mouth, wide, don't let anything ever come out.

A false freedom, speak enough to feel good
choose enough to make you feel big...


Swallow enough to make it count.

Thank's Eris for kicking it off-
you set the bar high  :)

How Many

Shots ring out and bullets fly,
a silent tear for the young that die.

An unknown cry heard all around,
for the missing child who can't be found.

A chilling giggle from a child so taunted,
they chose not to live a life that was haunted.

Crystal tears fall from the skies,
as another innocent child dies.

Now gather round each untimely grave,
and wonder how many you could have saved.

.:Killadelphia:.


In these grave times this is what we find
MAN-unkind...
Conducting killings in 99% of all The Occupied Spaces
And what’s now being conveyed is in reference to these places  
The killings of who we kill not caring about any traces
Hard life… to Death
All the time is what one faces

Ferocious like Death Squads and their craving just won’t wilt
Skilled & unskilled kills where alotta blood gets spilt
It's an absence of guilt while the hammer gets fed
our chilly ability for “Making one dead”
again, MAN
-unkind...tell me, “What can be said?”

It’s not Carpentry;  Jesus naw
More like Infantry
In Killadelphia, that’s the “Death” we see
Blood spilt now sputtering across the floor
From murderers hitting hard, real hard that 2 x 4
Victims crying out, “PLEASE, NO More!!!”
But trust…there’s always a helluva lot more in store

In Killadelphia…Go on, see for yourself
Some out in the open, a few fly stealth
Murderers, naw, we ain’t no slouches
Observe the double-deuce as it slips out of pouches
Here we come, watch it son
We’ll be leaping up outta crouches
Almost like Call to Duty when playing it on them couches
Creep then leap; then we rush ‘em real quick
Sucker gets crunched... take they lunch
Another ill deed by The Clique

Yes we’ve gone beyond sticks
Forget about them stones
It’s the “Kill Age” baby…
And that’s exactly how we Rome
Ready to take a life inside a raided home
The Definitive Victim; call it…two shots to the dome
We kill everything allowing each kill to run its course
Killing over & over with alotta Brute Force

For real, it’s unreal but that’s how we feel
Each killer killing with that over-the-top zeal
See some jokers can get killed over a discolored glass of water
Killed by an irate mother or by her too fresh little daughter
By a wayward son whose completely out of order
Yet in still, each kill-zoned there’s a few who may adore ya
Excited by death; promising we'll never ever bore ya

Because we can kill…with & without a fully loaded Glock
We’ll kill in Killadelphia…and we do it around the clock
Stirring the kill pot and we do that a lot
That Homicide Squad knowing that they ain’t got squat
Leaving ‘em out there blind, questioning, and clueless
Peeps too damn scared to come forth as a witness
Victim’s slumped to their side ‘cause we just that ruthless
Condemning passive folk defining them as useless

What we yield is the ordeal from being compassion-less inside
In Killadelphia…on occasion it’s sometimes televised
Scenes of rabid terrorists caught up in their frenzy
See dawgs around the world they can get…real, real crazy
Watching a Vic’s eyes as they begin to get hazy
Assaulting and or murdering; killing off alotta folk
Worst than The Triple-K, them white sheets still a joke
New Killers wearing their hoodie; then out to do some work
The mission at hand…another off-street murk
This is what we do and it’s all quite true
How killing works for us; just another Code Blue

Collecting the souls, the old & the new
Given enough leeway we would probably kill you
We kill ourselves because that’s what we do
Killing is our thing and we try to stay true
So many feel it’s better…to kill than forgive
Some are just killing ‘cause they’re against all that live
Faces of doom adding bodies to the tombs
Zombie-like fiends under “fool-blown” moons

Our Imaginary Enemies, they get permanently obscured
Here with each tear nothing at all gets cured
Me & you…we kill then we’ll turn & kill again
This “Killing Thing” is our “Stupid Thing” and an ongoing trend
All the time in double-time, each killer our bosom friend
Perhaps this is where the future; where it all breaks down
Coldblooded killers keeping death “all-around”
 

Horsey Hoe's Luv Drinks & Dey Hayte Dizeases

I've seen 'em spend big bukks,
big bukks on gambling & cocktayles.
Dem kentuckee derbee-types don't give a sheet 'bout dizeases. Butt if their fayces meltdid frum ebowla they'd bee supportin increesed research. Butt then agin whut doez afrikka meen tew dem horsey hoe's. I'm bettin' karma will eventually get dem. Dat's knot da way tew gamble. Sacrid misteries you don't phuck with.

Jeez that's good Roach

First of all, I have submitted many pieces that are about the social issues surrounding alcoholism.  In these, I have given real life examples of the behaviors, consequences, and lasting psychological and physical effects of this epidemic.  

Some of the societal issues on this topic include the fact that children are starting to drink earlier which is leading to more unprotected sex, drunk driving, unemployment, medical problems, and family dysfunction.  Of course, most of these are the behaviors associated with continued alcohol abuse.  There is a lot of debate about the definition of a social drinker.  I personally have never been a social drinker, so I cannot give that viewpoint.

Look at one definition of a social drinker as being:  “A person who drinks alcoholic
beverages usually in the company of others and is in control of his or her drinking.”  
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/social+drinker

Now take a look at another definition:  “A person who only drinks alcohol in social settings where there are already other people drinking at.”
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Social%20Drinker

What is different here is that in the second definition, taken from an online urban dictionary, there is no mention of being:  “…in control of his or her drinking.”  Considering that one would expect the urban dictionary’s definition to reflect our society in present times, that, by definition, should be a definition that is presented as continual and ever-changing.

I am sure that I do not need to explain the difference between social drinking and alcohol abuse.  What I enjoy doing most is writing about my personal experiences as an alcoholic.  

It would seem to be me that in the face of such:  “…massive global unrest and injustice...” an issue that affects so many areas of concern in our civilized culture should be addressed in a much bigger way.

I doubt that my writing about this issue will:  “…change the course of history…or reach the general public and speak to them on a deep level…or make them aware and understanding of issues they wouldn't normally consider…” because I was never able to do that with any member of my own family, some of which are practicing alcoholics themselves.

Now that I have completed my views on this topic, I would like to try to make it clear for those of you who don’t have the time to delve into my statements in a deeper level.  The reason that alcoholism and social drinking are such ambiguous terms and by and large, alcohol is the mind-altering substance that is mostly abused in our country, may be that alcoholism in general is ignored and social drinking is accepted.  In lay man’s terms, it is not cool to be the fall-down drunk of the party.  Also, alcohol is a widely accessible and acceptable commodity, and it has been and is used in the worship of many religious cultures.  All of these are mixed messages.  Add this to the fact that the U.S. Government makes over $400 billion dollars, generates over $90 billion in wages with over 4 million jobs, all by manufacturing, promoting, and selling alcohol.  http://www.discus.org/economics/  There is no point in trying to dissuade those with deep pockets that this is a growing societal issue that should be dealt with sooner rather than later.  Just like the drunk at the party who just fell down in the middle of the dance floor and pissed their pants and vomited on the rug, they too have cronies that they sweep under the rug in similar circumstances and then they all laugh it off in the morning as they ride to work in their luxury vehicles.

I will end this with the following poem that I debated submitting; I think it fits well here and want to thank the creator of this competition for allowing it to find a home.

Title:  How will I survive

If alcohol was gone, and prohibition had returned
I wouldn’t know what to buy with the money I earned
Perhaps I would get sober, but I doubt that much
or even whether I would declare that it was something that I never would touch

Why would this happen; how would I survive
Waking up or even feeling alive
No more parties; no more pissing my pants
I guess there wouldn’t be any more slurring rants

No more sobering up in drunk tanks
or waking up one more day without giving thanks
Forget rehab; those would be a thing of the past
Because I now would hold my disease firmly in my grasp

I might grow my own hops
until such bullshit stops
A travesty in its own right
A clear-headed me would be quite a sight

So would boiling the mash to make the brew
And abstaining in the time it takes to bottle a few
When I think for a moment of how it would be
If alcohol was illegal and just where that would leave me

Would I change my life and get rid of all of my friends
Would I end up alone, in the end?
I think not, because there by the grace of God go I
If alcohol was gone, and prohibition had returned, I’d kiss that life goodbye

This looks to be progressing nicely and although I haven't had time to read the entries since Erin's, I appreciate all of the writers who have joined in.


ALSO- had an inbox question on if the entry must be new or can be old...it can be either. Only one though thanks and good evening DU... Over n out

"the revolution will not be recognized"


The revolution will not be recognized, brothers  
The revolution will not be named  
The revolution will not be  
waiting around for the cavalry  
 
The revolution is tripping face at a psytrance party  
and is too busy spinning, to prepare a speech.  
It is being passed around in the park and it is a heady high.  
 
The revolution is in its comfy clothes  
in the streets of Spain, putting epoxy in cash machines.  
It is in the poppy fields of Afghanistan playing video games.  
 
The revolution goes to protests to pick up chicks  
and picks up litter. It is on the frontline of the war on food  
and is making bombs out of organic vegetables.  
 
The revolution is making an ass of itself at the bar  
and will do yoga in the morning.  
 
I am the change I wish to see  
and the problem.  
The revolution is manic depressant  
and sold all its meds  
 
The revolution will not be recognized, brothers  
The revolution can not be named.



Notes:
This is an older write Miki, might not be eligible for this comp... tis fine if not, seemed somewhat relevant to me. Also it would be proper to say this is overtly related to GSH's poem of almost the same title.

as some obscure wingnut once said, "all art is political, except political art"

Government Woe

You would program me like an automaton
March me through your assembly line
Lead me blindly into the darkness
Drag my integrity through a scat pile
Then condemn me for being unclean
Strip my dignity and violate my trust
And wonder why I'm naked and afraid
 
 
... Fuck you

Human Computers    


Don't you think
that
as time moves forward
we lack to interact
as doors open for you
and voices
replace maps
humanity
gets born now
designed
on an I phone App
the media's controlled
in towns
our thoughts
and moves are tapped .


Hormones not needed
feed cloned foul
infant growth
gets speeded , up
and through
the bowel
chemically impeded
the people
just allow
from the fluoride
on your teeth
to what we drink
to be  
dumbed down , we're being programmed .


Human computers
are what we will , become
full of files
and mindless
on a one government
ran world
by the aliens
that hide in us
who are waiting
for their turn
to divide , conquer , take over
re-name this place
called Earth .

The Knockout Game: Commentary On Crime

Black and blue, black and blue
Black and blue rollin' up on you
Black and blue, black and blue
what you gonna do?
What you gonna do when that black turns blue?

Without a clue
What you gonna do?
Night-night in day light.
Sleeping on a bed of concrete.
Knockin' on yo' door
Then knockin' out yo' teeth.
Runnin' away with another victory.
A victory so sweet, so cheap, slow dancin' in the streets.

Black and blue, black and blue
Black and blue rollin' up on you
Black and blue, black and blue
what you gonna do?
What you gonna do when that black turns blue?

No fear of a damn thang
Spot an easy mark and bang-bang
Night-night in day light.
Sleeping on a bed of concrete.
Knockin' 'em out
Then walkin' 'bout--
Runnin' away with another victory.
A victory so sweet, so cheap, slow dancin' in the streets.

Black and blue, black and blue
Black and blue rollin' up on you
Black and blue, black and blue
what you gonna do?
What you gonna do when that black turns blue?

What you gonna do when that attack comes back on you?
What you gonna do? What you gonna do?
What you gonna do when your black turns blue?
You'll be--
Sleeping on a bed of concrete.
Knockin' you out
Then talkin' 'bout--
Runnin' away with another victory.
A victory so sweet, so deep, justice in the streets.
The circle of justice is complete.
Justice so sweet, so deep, now everybody can rest in Heavenly peace.

Another one bites the dust


Boom
   Boom
Another one bites the dust
Justify this thrust
           Saying theft
By the deft
Should be slain?

Yes
We
Distrust
Discuss
Disgust
Muss
Must
Mistrust
      Lessons learned history earned?
Burned
Churned
Turned
   Tuskegee
           So known buzzword prominent
So many others not known
Less extant
Still there
Still breaches
Of trust
Scientific lust
Minorities
   The vulnerable
             Babies
                   Mentally disabled
                           Poverty ridden
                   Age and disease stricken
Labeled "others" by some in power
     Though even those wielding the scalpels and the vials of lethal bacteria
         Diphtheria?
did not always escape their own experiments
          Scientific enhancements
                  Treating others as chattel for spurious advancements
San Quentin
       MKULTRA
                    Manhattan Project
                                    Stateville Pen

What has this to do with shootings now by law purveyors ostensible in communities cross the nation?
Why naught
Save this
One
Little
Thing:
If we
Distrust, we may feel we must
'tis desperate, dire, integral
Mayhap
Even
Instinctual
   (Is that too deep and discommodious for you?)
Self-preservation.
         Don't let our children live
                    NO
        Our children WILL live
We are tired of seeing them die
        Tired of watching their life's blood seep through our hands
           To the street
                    Betwixt your feet
                           Their minds awry
                                   From propaganda cleverly plied
Enough
We're done
     You're done
           We've had enough
                       And so have you
Because here's the thing: when you kill us, you kill you too.
Regardless of your stance on this,
We're
Part
Of you
You're
Part
Of us
We better figure all that out
          This mess is ours
         Interconnectedness

Hi MM - really wanted to enter this one - but travelling a lot right now so am entering one I wrote when I first came to DU just after travelling through East Africa:


Your chicken’s freer than this orphan boy
Farmed for cash, hands red with palm
Singing psalms, singing psalms
His hour is coming; he will be raised up high.
 
Your flints freer than this slight northern girl
An earth tied cash crop sent to the city
Singing hymns, cruel hims,
Set her on a rock, upon high.
 
Grown man, a-dirt from the mine,
Nothing is yours but the dust in your chest
Tied to your debts and imminent death.
When will you hear that the hour is near?
 
Rain soaked Old, your daughter and man both died lean
From a modern disease, made far from here.
Dear Ma may you be placed at the head of the table,
For the hour has come.