Punk Site Poetry With Cherry B: “The Periodic Table Of Racism”

Cherry B is our punked up pumped up performance poet, who has been described as the The Punk Pam Ayers and The Cockney Cooper Clarke, she has returned with The Periodic Table Of Racism, her latest exclusive poem for The Punk Site. Cherry B had this to say about the poem: “This poem I began in 2021 and forget about until I was trawling pieces to go in my new book. Originally called Hierarchy Of Racism, now The Periodic Table of Racism. There’s so much discussion of definitions around racism, there’s more ignorance than hate, but it’s all painfully unnecessary. I added an extra verse in due to the Essex landlord who was recently evicted from his pub for displaying golly dolls and claiming there was nothing wrong with it. He denied any racist views until he was spotted wearing a Britain First t shirt! This is a perfect example of underlying racist views being piggy backed onto childhood memorabilia ‘That meant no harm”  yeah of course not! I performed this poem for the first time at the 0161 Festival in Manchester last week, one of the best anti fascist festivals around. I’m back there next year with Peesh.“

The Periodic Table Of Racism

So let’s start at the top, let’s be clear,

It’s the neo -nazis that belong here.

Outdoing hitler, he was in the past,

Groups like National Front trying to make it last.

I know it’s a controversial placing choice,

but it’s repeating fascism from the ignorant voice.

Let’s think about history and bigoted views?

of slavery and genocide on blacks and Jews.

Where minds were washed with the ideal race,

And guilt denied upon their face.

So who comes next in this table of woe?

Slave traders you know where to go.

Decimating countries in the name of greed,

each plantation born from a racist seed.

Landlords here in London Town,

proudly selecting and no taking down.

No blacks, Irish, dogs allowed in this place,

signs are up, and in your face.

It’s the names the insults, and the fear,

It’s being told you don’t belong around here.

Here comes the next level of hate,

It’s the snidely gossip at the gate.

It’s judging those who live nearby,

presumptions based upon a lie.

Don’t blame on someone’s age,

It’s long held belief is still outrage.

I’m not racist but….. indicates a view,

that misguided presumption is true.

When you’re trying not to be racist,

but your privilege is your basis.

Making assumptions someone doesn’t drink,

or women in a hijab are not allowed to think.

Yes these maybe lower in the table,

but they are born of the same stable.

Institutionalism is another level,

where those in power choose to revel.

It’s only banter, no offence meant,

passed about by coppers, that are bent.

But what about unconscious thoughts that are biased?

Cultural assumptions, that are held by us.

A new addition to the table, landlord down in Grays,

who decorated his pub in racist ways.

Adorned his bar with gollys, felt he had to fight

But he was also a fully fledged member, of the far right.

It was all right in my day, meant no harm,

not understanding change, sounds an alarm.

We learn from the past, amend the mistakes

Try never to repeat, for all that it takes.

Racism, is not just one design,

It’s fluid and supple and follows no line.

Laws may have changed but attitudes stick.

Like shit stains tattooed on an arrogant prick.

Author, writer, poet, psychotherapist, professional swearer, dyspraxic and opinionated, words that define and illuminate qualities that feature within the personality of Cherry B. Straddling the Shakespearean themes of comedy and tragedy, teasing with laughter, then taunting those undesirables in society. One half of the unique Cherry & Peesh, who have embellished the punk ‘n folk scene with melodical tales and catchy tunes for the past five years. The duo also released an album last year, Dont Make It Easy On Yourself, and are currently working on a new album and EP, Cherry is also collating her new book for publishing later this year. Cherry & Peesh are playing a Cherry hometown gig on Sunday 21st May at The Hare in Harlow and will also be appearing at Morecambe’s Nice n Sleazy Festival and Blackpool’s Rebellion Festival .

Cherry B‘s collection of poetry and lyrics, Job Lot Of Rhymes, is now available via Flapjack Press. Job Lot Of Rhymes spans three decades of Cherry B’s performance work. Political, societal and inclusive, it is uncompromising and passionate punk ’n roll poetics firing from the belly of social conscience. Cherry B also appears on her monthly radio show on Louder Than War Radio, Poetry Is The New Rock ’N Roll, that offers an hour of lyric led, spoken versed, genre smashing, musical adventure into the exploration of hidden poetry, that is often camouflaged behind powerful rhythms and riffs.