A Nation’s Woe

Powerful images for us all to see.
A Man asked a Woman – Put your dog on a leash, please.
A simple request,
A reasonable one too.
He was only asking that she follow the rules.
But she reached for her phone to make a 911 call.
That response should surprise us, be a shock to us all.
Yet it wasn’t a shock, we all understand,
That a White Woman could feel so empowered to use Race
against an African American Man.
Later the same day the fate was more sinister
For another Black Man in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He was being arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit bill.
While handcuffed, face down
he endured a knee to his neck even after 3 minutes of his body being still.
Is that enough to wake you up America(ns)?
Have you been shaken to the core?
Will you stay on your continued course?
Or from yourself, would you expect more?
Now you demand change.
Your target is the Police.
It’s their system, their culture.
It’s their policies.
But it’s easy to look outside yourself,
It’s easy to assign blame.
Yet there is more to the solution.
If you truly want that change.
Have you asked yourself – Am I an Amy Cooper, or a Derek Chauvin?
But you just don’t let yourself know
‘Cause you’re afraid to look within to
question your beliefs, your words, your actions, your choices?
Are you accepting, supporting, tolerating,
promoting the very thing you’re fighting against with such loud voices?
It’s time America(ns) for you to see
That the collective “We”
Is propelled by the Individual “Me”.
Racism, White Privilege – They still exist –
But you continually deny them,
While you allow them to persist.
So it’s no surprise – You’ll keep fighting this very same fight
And it will continue to destroy you
Until your Individual “Mes” enjoy the same Rights.
Because when you live a Lie, you cannot stand tall.
America(ns), honor your Pledge –
“…For One Nation Under God,
Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice FOR ALL”.