And some say “Shame” when we’re talkin’ up
And “Shame” for the way we are
And “Shame” cause we ain’t got a big flash house
Or a steady job and a car.
Some call it “Shame” when our kids they die
From colds or from sheer neglect
“Shame” when we live on the river banks
While collectin’ our welfare cheques
“Shame” when we’re blind from trachoma
“Shame” when we’re crippled from blights
But I reckon the worstest shame is yours
You deny us human rights
(1971)
Kevin Gilbert (1933-1993) was an Indigenous Australian poet and activist. He famously turned down a human rights award for his work editing the poetry anthology Inside Black Australia, saying it was not right for him to accept the award when his people still did not have human rights. Gilbert, a proponent of black transnationalism, spent fourteen years in a harsh prison after domestic violence lead to his wife’s death. I’ve had a hard time finding details on this topic, so if anyone has more, please post a comment!
