CSR & the Law: Olufemi Amao's research site

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More Poems.

The Donald & The unmasking of American Exceptionalism

There was a land…of American Indians

Till the Europeans came

And dragged in the Africans, in chains

A colossus emerged from the potpourri

A masked colossus and a dream

Masked in power, wealth and reputation

Until the rise of The Donald

The rabble rousing republican

Flying the flag of mammon

Then a glimpse behind the Mask

Exposing a cacophony

Braying

Panting

Raging

Spouting

Tearing

Yelling

‘UUSSAA!’

‘Get em out!’

‘Build that Wall!’

And Reagan said ‘Tear down this wall’

Alas, the lamp is dimming at the golden door.

(Femi, March 2016)

African proverb

"Every morning in Africa a Gazelle wake up knowing it must out run the fastest Lion or it will be eaten up. Every morning a Lion wakes up knowing that it must run faster than the slowest Gazelle or it will die of hunger. Whether you are a lion or a Gazelle, when the sun is up...better be running."

Our Little Ones

In their coming

Eternity reaches out

In the unfathomable mystery of creation

Eternity calls

To assuage

And to heal

In love indescribable

Those tiny hands reaching out in trust

Those eyes calling out

The babbles that say life & forever

The cuddles that warms the heart

To love, (to pain)

To the present, (to the past)

Grace.

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A Gentrification of USA: Prejudice at the end of History

It says it all.
It is not the case of the one shot for playing with a toy gun.
It is another 12 year old black boy
Standing in front of a barricade
Of heavily armed men of law
Fronting the horde holding up their empty hands
In the land of the free.

The boy, crying softly, tears streaming in parallel
With the pain of innocence
Holding his banner
Shouting in silence
Pleading for free hugs.
A human bridge between the law and the ‘outlaws’.

And in this surreal moment
Reaching from deep to the deep of humanity
Reaching to that which connects us all
As children of the universe
Who have a right to be here.

The white officer approached
And embraced the weeping boy
Gentrification forgotten
At that moment
The tie that binds trumps all division
In a world prone to self-destruction.

(Femi, December, 2014 a tribute to what is left in humanity)

Talkin’ politics again

Dear brother,

You won't be surprised. The world you left has not changed much. (But your people are changed because you left).

This time, I return to our favourite past time, that has replayed in my mind countless time. Talking the foibles of politics and making light of the illogicality that it entails. The best example, if any is needed, of the flawed nature of humans.

What has happened so far this year (2016), you would find difficulty to believe. Remember the days back home when as children we were left confused why our friends, neighbours and school mates were ordered to leave the country? The days of 'Ghana must go?' When the woes of the country were blamed on these outsiders mostly eking a leaving in menial jobs. Well it is gradually playing out in the erstwhile bastions of civilisation. Where civilisation and civility is now cast as ‘political correctness’ that must be dispensed with.

You would be glad to know that here, we did the little we could, travelling long distance, your little niece and nephew in tow, in pouring rain, twisting my ankle in the process to cast our votes for the love of our friends, colleagues and neighbours scared & feeling exposed because of 'fear' by people who look like them. We were on the losing side but as you always say, at the end of the day, all will be well.

Your beloved America is not fearing much better. They are taking back America from some other Americans with a viciousness and a tone that is unbelievably sad. Love is in the air through rabid hatred. A wall will be built to fence off other humans in the name of love. And in this Dystopian reality, Trump, is the unlikely ‘God’ instrument to deliver paradise. But as you know, ironically, his moral compass is not one that any parent would want to expose their kids. Maybe morals are no longer relevant as our faith(s) transforms and societies metamorphose in this endgame.

In a strange twist, even the Royal family is affected by the increasing racial tensions because Prince Harry has got a mixed race American girlfriend!

I am not overly worried about these events. As we always acknowledge, our story, our future is not in human hand. In the little time that we have here, may we live with it with dignity in the understanding that nothing endures in this life.

This is where we are, just thought to let you know. But perhaps you already know but it is nice to talk as we always do. We are all as well as we could.

May the day come.

Femi 15/11/2016

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