Suits and Ties

Told I was falling for media tricks
Because I made an angry post about the murder of
Insert name of black individual unjustly killed by a frightened police officer here
White people experience police brutality 
It’s just not publicized she said
Knows me to be a loving caring individual
But isn’t so sure now
Because I suggested more people should be outraged
When the police murder black citizens
Made her uncomfortable she said
I should change me stance because she’s uncomfortable
No laws have been changed because I’m frightened
We watch these public executions 
Over and over
And over we cry
And over we are frustrated 
And over we get angry
And over we protest
And over we are silenced
Until we remain silent every single time
The media sure has tricked us with fairy tale lies
About suits and ties making black men invisible to police rage
While sagging jeans make them target practice
Bad cops don’t see clothes
They see black skin as guilty and worthy of execution
Racial profiling is not a urban legend
Colonial invaders believed no country could govern itself 
Unless there were a high degree of white people in charge
My ancestors were shipped to America to learn to be appropriate
Their ancestors have been buried alive like coal miners under years of oppression
We are not the violent ones
We suffer from PTSD
Purposeful Traumatic Systemic Destruction
Told to keep up with the American dream
Got chained to the starting block at the beginning of the rat race
Broke free and gets shot any time we start catching up at the finish line
Land of the free
Build by the slaves no one ever wanted to be equal to
Forced to pledge allegiance to a star strangling noose
Jim Crow never died
It’s just evolved into a three year sentence on Rikers Island
Followed by suicide for a stolen book bag lie
Grew into the monster on the other side of the front door
Making brown parents everywhere afraid to release their children into the world
Destroying promise and hope
Thinks I’m seeking revenge instead of equality when I point out here white privilege
Sees me as the wicked witch of reverse racism
But she’s always been free enough to tell me my anger makes her uncomfortable
Black people will continue to rise
Like the embers of our ancestors ashes 
That rose from the fires that burned down Tulsa Oaklahoma
But if they won’t stop shooting us
At least show a good cop
Arresting a bad cop
One time
So I can play that over and over and over and over