LOOKS Everything that looks good may not be so good. Just because it looks good doesn’t mean that it is good. Just because it shines doesn’t mean it’s gold. He looks rich, but he’s homeless. She looks nice, but she’s a demon. Don’t be too quick to judge.
I LIVE MY LIFE IN STAGES My Mama always gave me what I wanted— ten thousand people watching. There was no responsibility. Sometimes I acted good and sometimes I acted the fool— ten thousand people watching. And then again, there was no responsibility. I went to school, always trying to be cool— ten thousand people watching. And still yet, there was no responsibility. Now, Lord, I’m in the streets— ten thousand people watching. Don’t know which way to turn— where are you at now, Mama? Still with no responsibility?
Look deep in yourself.
Eric D. Miller
I am a black man.
Eric:
I am a gay black man…
Eric and Sean: …who loves a gay black man. Sean:
I live in Brooklyn.
Eric:
I live in Brooklyn on Church Avenue.
Sean:
On Church Avenue—my beautiful furniture.
Sean:
My white refrigerator and white stove.
Eric:
On Church Avenue are many churches.
If I fuck up with my friends— being disrespectful—they’ll kick my ass with ten thousand people watching. Responsibility.
Sean:
And many churches are filled…
Eric:
…are filled with evil and judgmental people.
Sean:
A pastor calls me ‘botty boy.’
If I talk on the phone and don’t pay the bill, they cut the phone off— ten thousand people watching. Responsibility.
Eric:
A pastor—he’s a botty boy himself, uncoverly.
Sean:
I turn the key to my house, enter,
So now, Mama, I learned. Responsibility is the proper way—no sugar-coating. I live my life in stages. Ten thousand people watching. Responsibility, love, and respect. Ten thousand people watching. I live my life in stages.
Eric D. Miller 48
Sean:
I sit and talk on my white telephone.
Don’t pay your rent—they put you out. And you know—ten thousand people will be watching. Responsibility.
Situations
I am a man.
Eric:
Don’t be worrying about your problem because of the way it looks.
Eric:
So…I tell myself, Self, open your eyes! The streets taught you better than Mama… responsibility.
You’ll be walking around today and be gone tomorrow.
I AM A MAN
Eric’s peace I see. Eric:
Pastor walks in his house. It’s his wife he sees.
Sean:
Wishes she was a man.
Eric and Sean:
A young, black man.
Eric:
This is real on Church Avenue.
Sean:
An avenue with no true church.
Eric D. Miller and Sean Evans Situations
49
