Land of the free, home of the brave???

Sat, 10/29/2016 - 20:45 -- lexusc

We say land of the free home of the brave,

but how is it so free if we are still living like slaves.

Not physically but mentally we are bound by a country that continues to kncok us down.

The bravest thing we ever did was stand up for our rights.

Freedom of speech, freedom of expression

yet we are still treated as less than

Not just black people, but minorities in general are being crushed by opression.

It seems like our bodies are being used as moving targets

but I guess thats not enough to put a white man in prison.

He gets away with saying he was afraid

yet we still sing land of the free, home of the brave.

I never knew brave would result in my friend being put in the grave.

I never knew brave meant my brother had to walk around afraid.

I never knew brave meant I had to die so you can feel "safe".

They stay bullets don't have names.

Thats true.

but according to you I don't either.

all you know is victum number 1,592.

Another life lost at the finger tips of someone who is supposed to protect and save.

I guess you can say we're free

but I refuse to say brave.

It doesn't matter how many times I sing the national anthem

the words don't change

our values stay the same

and we continue to pledge to a country that degrades our names.

I refuse to support a country that doesn't support me.

so I'll stand with Kaepernick

or sit for a lack of better words.

Either way, my value will be understood

and my voice will be heard.

This poem is about: 
My country
Guide that inspired this poem: 
Poetry Terms Demonstrated: 

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