Don't Be a Stranger

My brother is black

I am white

Him?

Has to constantly check his back

Me?

Not a cop in sight

When I was 11 I saw him

There

Pushed up against Mom’s Lexus on account of them

Adorned in private school uniform head to toe

I wonder, if he wasn’t 

Would they have struck him a blow?

Most definitely 

So

To those unlike me, the privileged majority 

I am deeply, deeply sorry

I apologize 

That all my life I’ve been told lies

And that I can live freely

In blissful peace

While, you? 

Never know when you may have to be begging

PLEASE!

But you already know that

It’s your daily life

Who am I to be talking?

“Girl you’re white”

I agree, I will never understand 

But I feel obligated to share and take a stand

And if you are not the oppressed “you” referenced to above

If you are benefitted simply because

Like me, your skin resembles that of a dove

Don’t be a stranger

Don’t turn a blind eye

Otherwise you’re contributing to the next tale

Of the black man, ignored, mistreated, or left to die

Cause you see

By not speaking up

You’re contributing to the danger

You choose to support the oppressor in your absence of anger

People of color don’t get to simply decide whether or not they

“Want to get involved”

Why should we

Us whites

When without our voice things will never get resolved

I get it 

You’re scared to stir the pot

That you may no longer fit

However

If that’s your biggest fear 

You just proved my point

So get over it

I beg you

Don’t be a stranger

Speak out 

Scream until your voice is through 

Because

In white man’s land

A voice that’s heard?

That’s only for the privileged few.

Don’t be a stranger

Dedicated to George Floyd and the great many other victims of injustice.