Black Man

Unwavering thoughts-- dismissal and simultaneous acknowledgment of a role in society and the plight through self-conflict and race preservation.

Black man-- Black man, we look the same 

from afar.

 

Even up close, we do too-- maybe. 

But, we're nothing alike… Right?

My grandma told me I was very Black, very Beautiful, Intelligent, and chivalrous-- a true gentleman, even.

 

But on the news and in the media

they don't tell us that… Honestly, I think they hate us, or want to see us all dead and gone-- psst, or the quip for one to go "back to our country-- like we steered and fought through the treacherous waters to get here.

 

Damn!

 

The "American Dream" says that we all have our freedoms and liberties-- dreams of America: refined, presentable, organic-- enemy-free, and always upbeat like a functioning alcoholic. That American-- sorry, America-- gives me nightmares on more occasions than not. Each person should be able to succeed with hard work and determination… say the people with their basic needs exceeded.

 

I am not too fond of overhearing conversations about animals resembling the Black man. Those majestic and exotic animals have such a rare and distinct environment they live in and role they play-- contributing to society. The populations are slain by the same being-- and paving the way to destruction in the declining jungle where the rarest are poached and stood over the top of--photographed face-down like in '92 when they stood over that King.

 

Certain men have given themselves communal permission and responsibility to equate, calculate, and plan to destroy humanity and the Earth on which we all live-- capitalism. 

Whether you're the rarest or not, we all have a one-way ticket out of here. But we must scrutinize the visible decline & extinction of the King of the Jungle and the streets.

 

What would the ecosystem be without the Grey African Elephant? What would the criminal justice system be without Blacks being the primary money-maker? S**t, one-third of Black men are paying for someone else's daughter to go to a fancy school-- out-of-state tuition is increasing.

 

Black man, you may not know me, and I may not know you; however, we share the same pain, either directly or indirectly. Constant uncertainty comes from our family members, peers, and those who have always thought of the African American man as the most inferior being… true s**t.

 

I feel the pressure, and it is real. Being watched by both white and Black men, no trust whatsoever-- always everyone else's enemy--which turns many of us against ourselves. We don't say hi or smile, but we continually mean muggin', jugglin', and fumblin' to stand on top of one another… like a scramble for a touchdown… for the man.

 

Black man, why we gotta be thuggin', bustin' and cussin' at one another over someone's cousin or daughter? S**t, 'cause we competing to make ends meet-- oh yeah, duh. 

 

I believe in us because I believe in me, and I'm "one of them," which means I am a part of you, and you are a part of me-- from afar, anyways.

I know that physically I am far away from everyone in the distance-- so that our minds achieve closer correlation in proximity-- we're all the tokens.

 

Everyone becomes influential somehow-- directly or indirectly-- eventually beginning to see it through, and you, from near or far, are starting to believe in us. If we worked together, we could make the ends overflow in abundance. 

 

Black man, I DO NOT HATE U!

S**t, I don't know you.

But I visibly see your constant uneasiness around me, and I, too, feel it around you-- they did this to us, but who are we to blame someone else?

 

Our natural response is to be defensive… I mean, why not-- we're human.

 

But it is up to you and me to reconcile those differences and to cherish our similarities.

 

So much Black-on-Black crime and not enough communal space;

like damn, can we have clean parks and open green spaces? You know, like they do in Boulder, Colorado?

Some call it the happiest place in America. Still, for many Blacks, they'll never get a chance to be Boulder Happy. That's too inclusive-- 'cause that's what the world tells us through the news and media-- we are close, yet so far.

 

America wants Blacks to entertain, dance, shout, and praise-- for white Jesus-- but I thought his hair was of wool…?

 

How dare we attempt to explain or profess our greatness in an unconventional way… nothing in life is conventional.

 

Black man, that's why I need you to need me. The world tells us that we cannot coexist. That s**t's a lie, or do you believe it too?

 

We could both eat and feed our families-- oh, they didn't tell you about the opulent resources, education, and the exact price for a piece of mind-- of course not. 

Black man, I ask you; can you trust me if I trust you?

 

Can we coexist, function, and locate our resolve? The entire human race can prosper as we continue to grow and evolve. Learn your family history and communicate effectively; our articulations have been avoided-- no more.

 

I'm not saying all of us are close, but in times of despair like these, it seems we're in so much space-- with so little air. 

 

I can't breathe. I'm sure you've heard that line in the newspaper or maybe next door.

 

Black Man speak life into me as I gasp for my last breath and tell me what I've been reciting to you. 

The universe is waiting for you to believe in you-- when you are enlightened and able to understand and love yourself, then you can love me too.

 

-DWM