"Turn Down that Stereo"

This is a poem I created on the board while my students were doing seatwork.  It was pretty cool to turn around and see them all watching as I crafted it!  They helped me work through a couple of sections as I fiddled with it.  I hope you enjoy!                                 SD 12/17/12

TURN DOWN THAT STEREO

Turn down that stereo!

I can hear you coming all the way down the street!

Turn down the stereo, I don’t want to hear it anymore

Keep that stereo to yourself.

Martin Luther King was not a great Black Leader.

Sojourner Truth did not free Black Slaves.

Alex Haley is not a great Black Writer.

Nelson Mandela is not a champion of Black Rights.

Morgan Freeman is not a great Black Actor.

Michael Jordan was not one of the greatest Black Basketball players of all time.

Turn down the stereo, your stereo is too loud.

Not all black people can play basketball.

Not all Asians are smart.

All Italians are not like the Sopranos

And all white guys don’t play hockey.

Turn down your stereo, because it is way too loud.

‘Matter of fact, turn OFF your stereotypes completely so we can all live together.

Martin Luther King was a Great Leader.

Sojourner Truth was a heroic woman who freed Americans.

Alex Haley is one of America’s finest Writers.

Nelson Mandela is a Champion of Human Rights for All.

Morgan Freeman is one of the Most Talented Actors Hollywood has ever seen.

Michael Jordan was one of the Greatest Basketball players to have ever played the game.

Until we see people for who they are,

Until we turn off the stereotypes,

Until we recognize all of OUR accomplishments for twelve months,

We will never be equal.

Turn off your stereo and let’s sing a song together.

By Stephen Dent

February 2, 2006