Little people of the world
Are suffering
Hurting
Moaning
Crying
Uncertain what to claim
Where to aim
Or who to blame

Famine and poverty
Children in pain
Deprived of liberty
Exploited for gain
Millions are homeless
Refugees and stateless
Vicious weapons
That kill and maim

For every rose
That’s ever crushed
A dozen thorns
Raised in its place
Innocent victims
Fallen from grace
Bloodsuckers celebrate
Victory and embrace
The powerful laugh arrogantly
Enjoying the game

A moment in history
That’s very rare
The world is split
In unequal pair
The haves and
The have-nots
Because for every have
A hundred have-nots
The haves are calling
All the shots
While the nots submit
And clean their pots
Hats off to the haves
For perfecting their skills
To control and tame

Deceive and alter
Divide and conquer
By race and religion
Ideology and vision
Ethnicity and class
Geography and brass
By anything and everything
That has a name

But united you stand
Divided you fall
Oppressed people of the world
Have you heard the call?
Your fate is in your hand
Just rise up and demand
Justice and equality
Freedom and humanity
And the world shall never
Ever be the same

Mahatma, Che, Malcolm
Ruhallah and Nelson
Lit the stand
Power concedes nothing
Without demand
Wars and genocide
Oppression and apartheid
Exploiting people worldwide
Will only stop
Upon demand
So raise your fists
Don’t be lame
Speak up loudly
Reveal no shame
And when they shoot
Or try to defame
Show your fury
With steaming flame

*This poem is dedicated to International ANSWER and the millions of people around the world who stand up against war, exploitation, and racism.