SOMETHING NICE

I found this anonymous poem, apparently written by the group Concerned Residents Against Payments.

SOMETHING NICE

Apologize? that’s much too strong,

Let’s find a word that’s more precise.

But show remorse, that’s not for us

Cause doing that is something nice.

We’re ‘welcoming’ as you must know,

But only if you pay the price.

“We’re sorry”s not in our vocab

Cause saying that is something nice.

Though some complain we’re White elite,

Our veins are just as cold as ice.

The basic fact is sad, but true.

We simply won’t do something nice.

Don’t judge us by our harsh response

To Black folks who did sacrifice.

It’ s just that we can’t bear the thought

Of people doing something nice.

Of course we know, the papers scream,

They say our city’s in a cris-

is But it’s someone else’s fault

So why should we do something nice

We won’t shed tears for Willa Bruce.

She lost the game (with loaded dice).

We can’t assume our fathers’ sins

Besides, that would be something nice.

And yes, we know that it is true

Our city is as White as rice.

But we have Blacks and Asians too.

(We don’t mind just a little spice.)

The pie is big enough for all.

Come Black, come Brown, come take a slice.

But Green’s our king, so step aside

If you’re expecting something nice.

Our mantra is ‘inclusiveness’

You’ve heard us mouth it once or twice.

What further proof is there to show?

What? Ask us to do something nice?

We bought a faux indignant ad,

We take offense, that’s our device.

The victims always ask for more,

We’ll take no chance on something nice.

We slaved and saved to buy our homes,

We got no help let that suffice.

No handouts for the casualties,

Besides, that would be something nice.

The past is gone let’s all move on.

We’re better off, take our advice:

Apologies are for the weak.

Besides we aren’t very nice.