Toquyen Harrell | + Follow Poet |
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The Plight of Blacks

Why am I black?
God made me so
Then why you are punishing me?
Why can't I have all the rights like others do?
Why do I have to watch myself every time I turn around?
Why can't I go out at night like others do?
Why do you watch me like a hawk at every red light?
Did I do something wrong?
Why can't you read me my rights when you pull me over?
Why do you treat me like some suspects?
I haven't done anything wrong
Why God why are all these things happening to me?
I can't go around the block without them following me
Asking me questions "where am I going?"
"Where do you live?"
What did I ever do - to deserve this?
Can you tell me that, sir?
I don't look like you
But that doesn't mean I don't feel like you
My son at home is afraid to set foot out the door
because he can be sprayed by arrays of bullets
Or hauled straight to jail for whatever reasons
When do you ever see my plight?
I am asking you
I can't go to the drive-ins
the park, or see a movie
because there are always somebody watching me
hawking me, look the other way
Am I invisible?
I have skins
I have feelings
I know hurtful words, stares can break my soul
But they can't hurt my spirit
I am a person just like you
Do you think just because I look different 
it gives you the right to treat me this way?
H no
God is my judge
And He is my witness
I tell you this day
that you are going to pay
He will make you pay
Not I
You call yourself educated
But look at you
You can't even educate yourself
You know not right from wrong
Left from right
Balance or not balance 
Where is the equality?
I will tell you
Until you see the light
You will be forever walking in darkness
Until you see me
You will be forever groping for a sense of peace
It will be withheld from you
Because you didn't do right
Didn't see me
See me as a nonperson
You will see

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