Black Lives Matter

When will black lives matter?

My generation is the generation being killed in the streets

For the color of our skin

Covered under the sheets of white blindness and privilege

If it wasn’t for social media,

We wouldn’t know what we know.

Information would not flow.

Awareness would not spread.

We wouldn’t have #blacklivesmatter in our heads

Mothers planning funerals

For unborn black babies

Because when they grow up--or even before they are able to

they could be gunned down any second in their lives

Just for being black

For being deemed “suspicious”

Just for ongoing racial profiling and discrimination.

You shouldn’t be punished for the melanin in your skin

You shouldn’t be punished for existing

Day to day

So cautiously listening to the news that doesn’t even cover half of what you see

I am the son of black kings and black queens,

I am strong, like my brothers and sisters,

Now, before, and years to come,

I am who I am, matter fact I love who I am,

I love the color on my skin, the beautiful hair on my head,

So if that puts you off, then…

Too bad!

Unlike you, I’ve learned to accept myself,

Wait, who am I to lie,

I’ve always accepted myself,

I walk with my head high,

Holding hands with my brothers and sisters,

From east to west of the horizon, we stand together,

We stand tall, and we stand to combat all of yall.

I am strong, but we are stronger together,

You’ve labeled us with names, and associated

Us with negativity,

But I’m here to tell you, you may go,

To the ends of the earth,

And when you come back,

I won’t be different, I won’t change, not for you

Not for anyone, I’ll be here,

Black, Bold, And Beautiful!