Dear Black People

Dear Black People,

I see what you see on the news

I see us come together and make a stance

I’m proud to be black

But I can’t help but wonder why.

Why haven’t we taken this stance towards our own communities?

Why haven’t we spoken loudly about the system we put ourselves in?

The stereotypes we put on each other,

Comparing each others level of blackness,

Us saying there is no way to black

As we label each other Oreo or white when someone doesn’t fit the image of black.

Why haven’t we come together against gang violence?

The same violence that imprisons our men

The same violence that gives black men the image of future criminals.

Why?

Although it’s important to stand up against injustice

It's been decades.

Decades of not looking at the issues in our own backyard.

Decades of black on black racism.

Decades of staying silent about the violence in our communities out of fear.

But I see us.

When the world is against us, we unite and stand.

Now it’s time to make a change in direction.

Now it’s time to take out the weeds.

Now it’s time for us to stand together for an issue that has been here all along.