This poem examines a white man's confrontation with his unearned privilege as he prepares to participate in a former student's wedding. The poem explores themes of oppression, injustice, and choosing to stand with his black friend at the wedding despite the risk of losing what he has known. It conveys standing with the oppressed requires giving up control but is necessary to save one's soul. The poem was written in 2008 while the author took a sociology course on how race influenced education in U.S. history.

1. To Save One’s
Soul
OneWhite man’s confrontation of his
unearned privilege

2. This poem was written in the
summer of 2008 while taking a
sociology course examining how
race influenced education
throughout United States history.
Written by Robert Dean Branson
2
I see the colors I want to see
For the others I can look by obliviously.
To the left and to the right,
It is only the important that catches my sight.
Privilege is a word saved for the king,
For he is the person who owns everything.
To come and go and never have a care,
Are signified by royal robes that others can't wear.
In this modern world the king is deposed
But where is the power he bestowed?
To the white man whose ancestors conquered the world,
Unabated came power and privilege. Behold!
Today the world is in such a mess,
But those who created it have long since passed.
Forward to us hate comes to our space,
Our inheritance makes this an imperfect place.

3. 3
At the time I was taking my
sociology course I was preparing to
participate in a former students
wedding.
Really, what does it mean to oppress?
To see injustice and choose to suppress.
The right to act on an un-equals behalf,
For most it is seen as a major gaffe.
Do I find joy to stand with my black friend at his wedding?
To celebrate his love in this life never ending.
Or am I proud I am the only male whitey,
To join in this sacred and holy party.
To stand with my friend as his good man,
When a sinner and hater has been my plan.
How did I deserve to be honored this way?
A bigot and racist I am today.
If I choose to be different from what I have known
I am afraid in my world I will stand alone.
Standing alone against the trespass
Of the woman, the ethnic, and all other outcasts.

4. 4
The unwanted and lessors may have had their plan
But their lot in life was controlled by the Man
Straining against the waves of oppression
The outcome is judgment and calls of aggression
Four steps forward and three steps back,
For some that is the only attack.
To break free of the pain and the misery,
Who will bring the hope of delivery?
To hear the screams, the calls of oppression,
To hear not and see not and speak not can't be my expression.
Choosing to act will come at a cost.
All that I have known and felt will be lost.
Where I work and what I do is not important,
How I live will prove to be the most potent.
With them I will stand in the shame and the pain
Of another day of turmoil with little or no gain.
To side with the oppressed is to give up control.
To risk one's place, but to save one's soul.
Published in:
Multiculturalism on Campus:
Theory, Models, and Practices for
Understanding Diversity and
Creating Inclusion. 2011.