Source: Anadolu Agency / Getty
Dear Black Brotha,
I’m sorry —
I’m sorry for the multiple reruns of the Jim Crow Era,
living in terror when you’re out in the streets
Whether it’s a bag of skittles or a jog on your block,
it’s like they always got the glock and they’re ready to cock…back
We have mentally clocked out to the racism that continues to accrue
Posted up in blue,
Black brothas fear for their lives when you drive by
No — I’m not referring to crips,
better known as cops
Pigs if you will.
Rolling around the hood aimlessly,
the same way pigs roll around in dirt
I’m sorry Black brotha,
I know you’re hurting
I hurt for you
But I can never fathom the pain of multiple gun shots or a knee pinned in your neck
“I Can’t…..Breathe”
“Mama”
Words uttered from the lips of a Black man just living his life
But their lives aren’t worthy in the eyes of the men in blue
Anything you say can and will be used against you
“I…can’t breathe”
We will make our voices known for those who can no longer speak out due to injustice
This is America? Land of the free? Home of the great?
They say we are warranted Freedom of Speech, but if we can’t breathe our voices are muffled
Can you hear them crying when you watch them dying, Mr. Officer?
Can you hear us screaming for mercy?
Mercy, mercy, Me…rather, “Us”
Things ain’t what they used to be, or are they?
Because according to what I see,
not much has changed
Martin’s dream has become as faded as the last words uttered from the lips of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Sean Bell, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and thousands of other African American men who were slain for being Black.
Black brotha, I’m so sorry
I know my words won’t bring you back
But “lift every voice….”
I will speak the words no longer uttered from the lips that turned cold at the hands of the same man meant to put a stop to violence
Black brotha, I’m sorry
I know you can’t breathe, so let me do the breathing for you.
-Signed, Jordan Paige
Jordan Paige is a writer turned educator who lives in Brooklyn, NY. She is passionate about the youth, Black lives, and making sure her voice is heard through her writing. You can find her on Instagram @MsJordan.Paige.
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“Dear Black Brotha…” An Open Letter To Black Men In America was originally published on rickeysmileymorningshow.com
