I listened to this poem by Langston Hughes watching the "King: a Filmed Record" DVD. In chapter 4, around 32:10. In this excerpt at Democracy Now, it's at 22:22.
Who but the Lord?
by Langston Hughes
I looked and I saw
That man they call the Law.
He was coming
Down the street at me!
I had visions in my head
Of being laid out cold and dead,
Or else murdered
By the third degree.
I said, O, Lord, if you can,
Save me from that man!
Don’t let him make a pulp out of me!
But the Lord he was not quick.
The Law raised up his stick
And beat the living hell
Out of me!
Now I do not understand
Why God don’t protect a man
From police brutality.
Being poor and black,
I’ve no weapon to strike back
So who but the Lord
Can protect me?
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