The Burden of Prejudice

He walks inside

To browse the wares

Of a fancy store.

Passing by the counter

He eyes a watch,

Admires it.

Placing it down

Next to the Rolex,

He turns to leave

But is stopped

By security

Because of simply

His appearance,

His color,

His dress.

He is judged

By the inadequacy

Of his clothes

And

By the color

Of his skin.

Their prejudice

Paints him blacker

Than the color

He already is.

Ashamed

He leaves,

His pride, broken.

Yet others

Look on

And ignore

A catastrophe.