Scared to Hope

I see them look at my dark skin look at my textured hair and my sad eyes Little kids stare while their Mommas scold them “Don’t look at him! Hold on to my hand” They say. On the TV’s in their nice homes, I see crazy college kids riding buses and making a statement and being attacked They should know better than to try to upset this long established social order, this hierarchy, this caste system Those fools are too hopeful, too naive My folk have been mistreated for centuries No crazy bus riders, or cafeteria sit ins, or riots, or marches, or protests, can change was it is ingrained in society. Call me cynical, pessimistic, or whatever you like I’d love to say the world will be better for my children to come but I don’t think it will, I’m no fool.