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THE WAY FAMILIES USED TO BE


When families use to be families
Brothers and sisters could marry
Women were property
Rape was a reward for not obeying her manifest destiny


When families use to be families
The code of silence was a religious document preached from the pulpit
That was a serious witch hunt


Crimes in the home-swept under the rug
The parent was the thug
The Church turned it's back
Called it tact to cover it's tract
Looked the other way
Ignored-ignored-ignored
Baby boys and girl's virginity
The vicinity wherein their religious minister
Possessed their virtue
Treated it like fodder
He was just their biological Father


The way families use to be, ain't over yet
How soon we forget !!


Where does all the adult victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse
Come from, come from, come from


WHEN FAMILIES USE TO BE FAMILIES

Written by Josephine Dixon Banks

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Mr. Africa Poetry Lounge