PASS THE MIC

Fellow white people!

 

PASS THE MIC!

When you aren’t well versed in a social issue

Think about your status and it’s peak

before you open your mouth to speak

PASS THE MIC!

 

Think about what it means

To be white and talk over black voices when you talk about race

How you limit your perspective

while you call the nation a collective

PASS THE MIC!

 

If you weren’t a science major 

you wouldn't talk about worm holes with authority!

so why do you do that when you talk about a minority?

or say if feminism is effective without taking a gender studies class?

Instead, PASS THE MIC!

 

Before you decide what gender your trans friend is,

based on biology from the bible

Think about how lucky you are

To accept your: orientation!

Salutation!

Without worrying about your:
Clothing section

or family rejection!

Before you let your bias take control

PASS THE MIC!

 

PASS THE MIC!

When someone calls you out for racism

Don’t try to be defensive

Don’t try to say “that wasn't offensive”

You’re white and you have privilege

You don’t get to decide what is racist

You can’t control what offends

The best thing to do is make amends

 

LISTEN to the other side

Try it out, just one time

You will see we are not different

And we can move together in stride

 

PASS THE MIC

When you’re just not sure

People different from you can be a walking brochure

But don’t pressure them into talking

It may not be a safe place for speaking

They may be tired of explaining

PASS THE MIC

But don’t assume

One person is the speaker for all

Don’t listen to Morgan Freeman tell you to ignore race

and scream, “but I passed the mic!”

Because if we ignore who we are-

and say 

“I’m color-blind!” or

“I don’t see race!”

what do you see?

 

Every time you have a chance-

To make a conversation truly advance!

There is one thing you can do

A way to make peace break through

Quiet down and get some guidance!

Because while white silence may equal violence,

Sometimes the best thing to do is-

PASS THE MIC!

This poem is about: 
Me
My family
My community
My country
Our world

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