Aftermath

by: S. FitzGerald

   From the beginning of time, that's how it has been. Being a black man, was your    terrible sin.

   You broke no real laws, you stole not a dime. Being born with dark skin, was your    arbitrary crime.

   Rest well dear Arthur; thou shalt be avenged! Maybe not by law, the Lord claims thy    revenge!

   Arthur McDuffie is dead, while his killers go free. It's the American way! "What    justice this be ? ? ?

   White men beware! You're not safe in the streets! White folk stay home! Or you    might get beat.

   You've belittled our men, our women you've abused, and since that's not enough, our children you've    used.

   For what reason is this? Have we done wrong deeds? some of us have, but is this why we bleed?

   Is this diplomacy? Will it go much further: Be this just: Or be it just" murder?

   Our law is unfair. Or so it is said. Yet it has been proven, we do wrong and we're "dead!"

   Why are we so wrong? I won't understand! We're just as good, as any white man!

   They've killed one of us. They lied on the stand. Then set free, with blood on their hands.

   But be strong fellow Negroes. Try not to harm others. Be strong, but smart, stand right good    

   brothers.

   We've gone through a lot. And this be the climax! The white men will pay! God avenges, even blacks.

Arthur McDuffie, The Last Straw!

By John Henry Cleare

     Arthur McDuffie, just an ordinary man. Not a civil rights leader, nor the man with the  plan.

     In this world of disgust, mistrust, unjust. Set the spark that caused Miami to bust.

     On the night of Dec. 17 last. He was said to have been on his motorcycle; Putting on the gas.

     McDuffie was finally stopped, white cops all around.

     Out of anger and disgust they beat him to the ground.

     One white officer not satisfied at all; Took his flashlight in both hands and                      cracked his skull.

     After realizing what had transpired. And at the thought of imprisonment and being               fired.

     They conspired a plan. To cover up the murder of an un-armed Black Man.

     So they ran over his motorcycle so that it was bent.

     They delayed his medical help when it was sent.

     They even filled out a faulty accident report.

     After protest and investigations they were sent to court.

     There was no way in hell this should have taken place.

     They got six, all white male jurors to try the case.

     Acting like the sixties in Alabama.

     They had the trail moved to Tampa.

     The trial ended in a hell of a way.

     A lot of people would.... (illegible)