Target

I’m a target for the police to be locked away in over populated jails.

I’m a target for the high judge looking down low that sets a high bail.

I’m a target on the streets.

I’m a target of ridicule depending on my attire or what I wear on my feet.

I’m a target of red if I wear the color blue. I’m a target of blue if red is he color I choose knowing that regardless of which I wear, I’m a target, I ultimately lose.

I’m a target for the courts who redefine half. I’m a target for hurt that’s why I rarely smile or laugh.

 

I’m a target for her. To victimize her status because of her previous hurt. I’m targeted as soft because I acknowledged her worth.

I’m a target by the white man because of a genetic code provided by God himself because I’m not like him. I’m a target by the white woman because I’m what she wanted but denied by my fear and because her father’s fear, insecurity and pride.

I’m a target by the black woman who feels the need to remind that she has struggled in life but she fails to try to understand or acknowledge mine. I’m a target by the black man because I’m Overton, a black man with no spine. Only because I wear what I want and have the conscious of mind.

 

I’m a target of the church because I’m not paying tithes.

I’m a target of the churches preacher who wants me to pay for lies. While I search for my own truths, I’m a target for the elders and I’m a target for the youth.

I know I’m a target so this is what I do.

 

I avoid trouble the best I can so I don’t bait the targeting policeman. I avoid the judge in courts so I’m not judged by some man.

I avoid the streets. I wear what’s comfortable, sandals in the heat.

I avoid any hue of red, or even wear pink. So when I wear seersuckered blue, it’s not what you think.

I avoid the courts version of math because half is part of a whole. The whole that family court can’t divide. There is more to him than you tell him. I did and do provide.

 

I avoid her with a bitterness with man but once she finds one, her song changes and now the world must understand.

I avoid holding a grudge my white brother. Times have changed but history doesn’t. Let’s learn together from both to what we must and mustn’t. I’m still working white women, I’m sorry. When I jogged and were on the same side of the street, I cross to the side because I want no parts of that devil. History will not repeat.

Sister, I do recognize your plight. The struggle is real and it ain’t right but until you recognize your own place and your own value in our world, I can’t make a woman out of a girl.

Brotha, I wish you blessings but not if you live wrong to each other and continue lynching.

Father, I found truth in you and your benevolence and the reality in revelations.

 

I’m a target but I have answers to each situation but my next and only question that my mind is facin, is why I can’t I be the target of education?