POETRY POINT: Domino Effect
posted by Karizma Howard | February 14, 2022 | In Arts and CultureFunny how yall are pro life for souls that aren’t birthed
But aren’t pro life for the Black men and women who walk this earth
Aren’t pro life for people who created things to function this earth
Yeah… that traffic light for the streets
Those long lasting bulbs you use to see
Were created by the men whose backs you broke to make bleed
How about elevators that takes YOU to places where WE have no seat
Or that automatic oiler so ships could sustain on sea
That allowed trains to move efficiently across tracks
That lubricated the engines where you put us blacks in the back
Yall are quick to blame the response, instead of the cause yall CHOOSE to not see
Instead of blaming the last domino that fell, why don’t you blame the first one in the assembly?
That first domino that stripped us from our land, our culture, and our identity
It was that first domino that dragged us to foreign soil and enslaved us
That first domino that branded us, beat us, raped us, and killed us
That first domino that bombed our churches
That first domino that left burning crosses in our yards
That first domino that dragged us across the ground by trucks or by cars
That first domino that separated us and divided us because of our skin
That first domino that made us feel ashamed of having beautifully layered melanin
Lets talk about that first domino that lynched us on trees planted high
Mmm, or that first domino where “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for US is a lie
That first domino who unintentionally gave us rights
That FIRST domino since day one had us fearing for our lives
That first domino that chose to “see no color”
You seeing no color means you don’t acknowledge my sisters and my brothers
“I see no color” states that you don’t see me
And unites you with people who stand firm on platforms
That abuse the ones who “Can’t breathe”
You not seeing color means you choose to stay mute
And justify the black and blue who murder the ones who say “Hands up don’t shoot”
So don’t blame that last domino that fell
Don’t blame our reaction to your action
Or our action to your non action
Instead, see color and change the way you act
See the Black man who you pushed so far in the back
See the Black men and women you chased down the streets with bats
And the ones you threw in prisons whose minds you knew were unmatched
See the systemic racism you don’t want to address
And the ignorant racial slurs you whisper under your breath
In order to see me, you have to see color
Seeing color means you acknowledge my sisters and my brothers
When we walk into a room you don’t discriminate or start to fear
Or assume we are only there to serve you and hope we disappear
See color and work to fix the mess yall created
Stop sabotaging our success like you don’t have your white privilege
Let go of your racism and learn to coexist
And see that our hairstyles and choice of clothing has nothing to do with intelligence
Stop all your “nigger this, and nigger that”
Your “pro White! And anti Black”
Get out of your fictional reality and help us fight back!
To my Black brothers and sisters
We are fearfully and wonderfully made
We are dripped and entangled with brilliance that not even white men can obtain
We are worthy
We are important
We are Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses who are just getting started
Photo courtesy of OuadiO
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