Nebraska: A State of Rappers??

Today was a brand new beautiful day blessed by God. The Micah Corps took on the opportunity to ask questions of one of Senator Johanns' staff-members. We asked questions about Senator Johanns' actions on the DREAM Act and immigration reform, children lacking adequate nutrition, the farm bill, SNAP programs, education reform, and renewable energy sources. Although the answers to our questions tended to be fairly vague, the experience of speaking to a staff-member who has influence in real policy-making decisions by our Senator was incredible. Our Nebraska group created an agenda before we walked into the Senator's office and stuck to it. We learned how to control a meeting and to ask very specific questions in hopes of getting a specific answer.

The Nebraska State Seal
"Equality before the law."

Elena enjoys the beauty of D.C., right in front of the Capitol!

The afternoon was a new musical experience for most. A man who is "not a rapper", but rather a poet who uses hip-hop beats, Bomani Armah, taught our entire group how to create a catchy, effective rhyme. We each created an 8-bar rap that described ourselves. Next, our entire group worked together to create possibly the greatest work of musical art of all time. And it went a little something like this..

Broken systems are blocking our prosperity
The only way to fix it is to stand in solidarity
We have the ability
            to work with humility
            to crush all the bigotry
            and fight for our dignity
We don’t need sympathy
            Fight for our dignity
Enough with the charity
            Fight for our dignity

We’ve got a huge problem, it’s called poverty
Let’s spread the wealth, cause it’s not all for me
Today’s inequality is caused by greed
Hoarding by the few leaves more mouths to feed
Houses going empty with so many foreclosures
And now we’ve got tons of folks living in exposure
We’re waging a war on homelessness
So join God’s army, let’s all go enlist

Broken systems are blocking our prosperity
The only way to fix it is to stand in solidarity
We have the ability
            to work with humility
            to crush all the bigotry
            and fight for our dignity
We don’t need sympathy
            Fight for our dignity
Enough with the charity
            Fight for our dignity

The gap keeps growing between the rich and poor
And all it seems to do is keep closing the door
There’s not enough food on the table to eat
No place to lay his head or to rest her tired feet
The burden is heavy and the road is blocked
Everything they had has already been hocked
In providing basic needs people are forced to choose
Life is a game where no one should lose

Broken systems are blocking our prosperity
The only way to fix it is to stand in solidarity
We have the ability
            to work with humility
            to crush all the bigotry
            and fight for our dignity
We don’t need sympathy
            Fight for our dignity
Enough with the charity
            Fight for our dignity

We can’t just sit there putting on airs
It’s everybody’s problem, not just "theirs"
We’ll make the most impact if everyone would care
In sending us His son, God offered us a dare
Equality for all, and justice for the meek
God gave us a charge to take care of the weak
Charity is good, but equality is GREAT
Do justice, love mercy, follow Micah 6:8

Broken systems are blocking our prosperity
The only way to fix it is to stand in solidarity
We have the ability
            to work with humility
            to crush all the bigotry
            and fight for our dignity
We don’t need sympathy
            Fight for our dignity
Enough with the charity
            Fight for our dignity

© 2012 Micah Corps Nebraska