We Must Stand Poem by Roland Nkwah Cho

We must stand up now
We must start the fights; fights not fought or forgotten!
Why do we see ourselves more unable to do what we can?
Why do we always think the West can help us or should help us?
Ancestors helped them stand, parents helped them grow
Now we are keeping them going, even as they call us names;
And belittle our guys: social humiliations, economic dependence
And permanent seconds and thirds we have remained
When we know we can or are actually firsts of the firsts.
We must stand up now, we must get our rights
Not granted or trampled upon!