UNEQUIVOCALLY I AM A MAN!

First let me state this unequivocally 
"I AM A MAN!" 
The only difference between us; is my genetic tan

Still after stating this there are things I don't understand:  

Why is it my white brother, you whisper when I walk by? 

Why is it my white sister, that you snicker at me and lie? 

Why do some of you ignore me and take pleasure in seeing me cry? 

Why do you watch in silence, as thousands of my children die?

 

I know you see the articles.  I know you watch the news. 
Yet, some of you only scream when white skin is being bruised. 
I am not a hate filled racist but I state to you a painful fact: 
The only time you come running is when your kids are under attack! 

What about the thousands of black children daily being slain? 
What about their families?  How can you ignore their pain? 
It saddens me to say this.  This truth tears and rips my gut. 
You don't see us as people.  We are all criminals and dirty s***s! 

For years when they lynched us your ancestors ignored it and lived in lies.
Silently, quietly, watching; as thousands of black bodies hung and died.

 

Do you remember Laura Nelson?  A women lynched protecting her son.
Do you remember Jesse Washington?  Burned by thousands under the hot Texas sun.

 

Ignorance to history caused the death of Treyvon and Jordan Davis. 
When their murderers were asked why, they said:  "Because they made us!" 

You watch our families murdered and you claim he's a "THUG" or "N***a". 
He was another criminal on the street.  He got what he deserved is what you figure. 
You ignore the sad statistics that black families face everyday. 
Many of those supposed “Thugs” are innocent babies being blown away! 

So let me state this to you again: 
"UNEQUIVOCALLY I AM A MAN!" 
I ask that you raise your children to ignore my genetic tan. 
Teach them about inclusion and the sanctity of all human life.
Teach them histories horrors, about hate and racial strife.
Then we can truly be family and live together in a sacred trust. 
Then there will be no you or me; but only ALL of us!

 

© 2013 Eddie K. Phillips

Author's Note

This poem hurt me to write. So many people ignore the death and destruction of our families and children. The hateful(not all of us) still see us as animals and it is proven every night and day. It pains me. I have 4 young men and I fear this world doesn't care for black men. It hurts me to say that. Yet I have hope, and through hope there is faith... God will make a way.

Reviews

[Derek Nall]

Powerful! A genetic tan should never define a man...it's a crying shame more people can't see through that.

[Eddie Phillips]

Truthful words . Thank you for connecting with this poem and leaving a comment. This was another hard poem to write and I am glad someone actually got its meaning.

[Derek Nall]

No problem at all, glad I read it!