Skin

I am no longer human

I have become so much less than that

I am a black man in America

Where my skin is a weapon in itself

And i am the most intimidating with my hands held up in surrender

I am nothing more than a rag doll with a bulls-eye on its back

Waiting to be picked up, dragged, and placed exactly where I am not suppose to be.

There is no more penalty for killing a black man

We are in a place where murder is acceptable, because the un-armed hands of a child can do so much harm

I walk the streets, never in a white tee shirt, because that’s the scariest thing to see. Making it my mission to not make anyone afraid because I am

6 foot

230 pounds

Worst of all I am black

This skin, this rich, mahogany, skin that my parents, and my parent’s parents, and all of those before them have passed down to me with the utmost pride, has become my curse

I am subjugated to the same injustices, hundreds of years later, because of this rich, mahogany, skin

I am so much more than that

I am a black man in America 

Whose ancestors fought for years so I could fight right now

I am an individual

I am a catalyst for change

The only weapon I will ever be equipped with is my compassion

I am intimidating because I am proud of who I am and those who have come before me

My brothers and I are so much more than a hashtag

More Than a gray hoodie

More Than a pair of baggy jeans

More than a white tee

We Capable of moving mountains

Of making immense change

I will walk the streets with my head held high because I am 6 foot, 230 pounds and best of all I am black and I am proud.