Wm. H. Maxwell; Baltimore Afro-American Ledger, March 7, 1914

Though we are black, and they are white,
Though they seem high and term us low,
They should not strangle with ugly might,
For we are men and the world must know.

Grim slavery’s chain is shattered now,
Let every link be buried deep;
O Liberty, O Justice, crown us somehow,
For we are men, why should we weep?

The strong by force doth rule the weak,
Whether that be right or that be wrong,
Extend us thine hand, while truth we week,
For we are men and would be strong.

Let color of skin excite no man’s ire,
For justice by color ne’er decides.
To make all men free, is true man’s desire,
And we are men, thought the fool derides.

A man’s a man, regardless of skin,
Judged in truth, by moral deeds,
Every man to the other’s skin,
And we are men, despite our needs.

We long to see America rise
And treat with us on manly worth,
We hope no man will another despite,
For we are men and all on earth.

Bright and glistening will be the morrow,
When Truth and Justice are guiding signs,
Blackness of skin will cause no man sorrow,
And man’ll be man less color lines.

[This poem appears in two categories: “Hope and the Future” and “Pride and Accomplishments.”]