In honor of

citizens of color

standing for the prize

civil rights, freedom, brotherhood

Being battered by the storms

long nights of exile in one's own land

preaching non-violence

being victims of great trials

children stripped of self-hood

living unspeakable horrors

with memories of former slaves

in captivty of dignity

When will you be satisfied?

for "whites only" to meet its place

of justice and its rightful place our past

trade it for riches of freedom

award a great American

who stands up for our nation

a symbolic shadow

beacon light of hope

for all men are equal

and not to be judged by skin

but by character

brothers and sisters

veterans of creative suffering

sunlit path of justice

walk together and cannot turn back

there all God's children

now making and letting

freedom ring