The Inequality that’s Killing Me
“STOP! I WANT TO BE FREE!!”
“Turn away son don’t look.”
“Momma why do they beat us, we’re the ones they took.”
1619.
Is when they brought over the first of us.
Ever since then every sight has been a horror.
But my baby’s right you know,
Why'd you take us?
You could’ve asked some of us, I’m sure they’d agree
But to be taken & beaten & used for sexual needs ??
How disgusting you are.
Now answer this true-
Does this land you live on even belong to you ?
From the rumors I heard you took this land all along
and told the rightful owners to get gone.
You dirty pigs, my people will get their time.
And once we’re done, you’ll wish you were mine.
For now we’ll run.
No matter how far to get away from you.
But then we’ll come back for vengeance and beat you red, white, and blue.
-This is the era of when slaves were first brought to America. I could’ve talked about the ride over here on those dreadful ships but I honestly might’ve ended up crying really hard. When writing this poem I really tried to feel a pain of what my ancestors had to go through. It was literally impossible, so I started channeling the anger I feel now. I never really have a source besides my own mind and emotions when writing.
New headaches coming in hot from strong pain
The hoses brought out, our children taken
They did not give up against the harsh strain
Don’t ever believe lives weren’t forsaken
The Era has come, no war but peace please
Hatred in your eyes, is that what you seeked ?
At least in jail cells our minds were at ease
You loved Kennedy ‘til your secrets leaked
Most chose nonviolence until a terror
“Till Dead” did it as blowing a feather
Yet again pissed, these whites made an error
“Now you calm down, we must stick together”
Even through it all don’t have any doubt
Black Lives Matter, don’t EVER fear to shout
-This is the era of when Blacks in America were considered “free”. But we were still never considered equal. And I don't believe we were okay with it, but at that time we were just more concerned about our civil rights, to be able to live among whites in peace. I actually got a lot of information for this poem in my 9th grade history class by my teacher Mrs. Standen. And everything she taught flowed so smoothly into this poem.
Help. I can’t breathe.
I can’t let go, Just wanting the words to overflow
He can’t breathe.
Get up, Get up ! What are you doing this for ? The color of my skin is only darker than yours!
He can’t breathe !
I just want to go home.
Be w/ my man, sit alone.
Boom! The door flies open.
A shot fired in fear.
Giving each other the same glance we continuously yell “Hey! Who’s here?!”
My mind’s swirling around, I can’t think !
I hear more shots fired, 8 sink deep.
I need to get away. Maybe jog it off..
Why-Why are these men chasing me??
Wait, what is he holding- Why are they trying to make me-
Stop.
Stop killing me! Over & over ! It’s killing me !
Skittles ! I want them too ! But apparently I can’t since I’m not the same color as you...
My people want to succeed & have a good life.
Don’t take away the peddle stool for us to reach new heights.
Is it safe for me to live here ? To see a new day ?
You make fake 911 calls just to keep me away.
I appreciate God, for he made me who I am.
He made us same inside, why not give me a chance ?
Oh, you won’t stop ?
Then we won’t either. We won’t give up. We won’t quit. Black Lives Matter.
You’re either with us, or against us, that’s it.
- Ha. This is our current era. Yeah the one where we have a whole pandemic going on. But after what’s been happening we don’t care about that anymore. We are still seeking equality. Which is just, ridiculous. Some people will say “I can’t believe this.” Well it’s not that hard to fathom that minorities are still treated like dirt.
The year 2020. 2020. What a shame the only thing that has been expanding is technology and not the human mind. The first thing that really caught our eyes of police MURDERING blacks was Trayvon Martin. He was one of the first that made us perk our ears up. Then we just started getting smacked in the face left and right. Then after Taylor, Aubrey, and then Floyd. Floyd. He was the last match that started an angry awakening fire. Enough is enough. And now we’re going to continue doing whatever to make a change!! And I’m tired of people saying “During this current situation”. This is not a current situation, it’s a reoccurring situation. This poem was inspired by every single person of my black community.
“STOP! I WANT TO BE FREE!!”
“Turn away son don’t look.”
“Momma why do they beat us, we’re the ones they took.”
1619.
Is when they brought over the first of us.
Ever since then every sight has been a horror.
But my baby’s right you know,
Why'd you take us?
You could’ve asked some of us, I’m sure they’d agree
But to be taken & beaten & used for sexual needs ??
How disgusting you are.
Now answer this true-
Does this land you live on even belong to you ?
From the rumors I heard you took this land all along
and told the rightful owners to get gone.
You dirty pigs, my people will get their time.
And once we’re done, you’ll wish you were mine.
For now we’ll run.
No matter how far to get away from you.
But then we’ll come back for vengeance and beat you red, white, and blue.
-This is the era of when slaves were first brought to America. I could’ve talked about the ride over here on those dreadful ships but I honestly might’ve ended up crying really hard. When writing this poem I really tried to feel a pain of what my ancestors had to go through. It was literally impossible, so I started channeling the anger I feel now. I never really have a source besides my own mind and emotions when writing.
New headaches coming in hot from strong pain
The hoses brought out, our children taken
They did not give up against the harsh strain
Don’t ever believe lives weren’t forsaken
The Era has come, no war but peace please
Hatred in your eyes, is that what you seeked ?
At least in jail cells our minds were at ease
You loved Kennedy ‘til your secrets leaked
Most chose nonviolence until a terror
“Till Dead” did it as blowing a feather
Yet again pissed, these whites made an error
“Now you calm down, we must stick together”
Even through it all don’t have any doubt
Black Lives Matter, don’t EVER fear to shout
-This is the era of when Blacks in America were considered “free”. But we were still never considered equal. And I don't believe we were okay with it, but at that time we were just more concerned about our civil rights, to be able to live among whites in peace. I actually got a lot of information for this poem in my 9th grade history class by my teacher Mrs. Standen. And everything she taught flowed so smoothly into this poem.
Help. I can’t breathe.
I can’t let go, Just wanting the words to overflow
He can’t breathe.
Get up, Get up ! What are you doing this for ? The color of my skin is only darker than yours!
He can’t breathe !
I just want to go home.
Be w/ my man, sit alone.
Boom! The door flies open.
A shot fired in fear.
Giving each other the same glance we continuously yell “Hey! Who’s here?!”
My mind’s swirling around, I can’t think !
I hear more shots fired, 8 sink deep.
I need to get away. Maybe jog it off..
Why-Why are these men chasing me??
Wait, what is he holding- Why are they trying to make me-
Stop.
Stop killing me! Over & over ! It’s killing me !
Skittles ! I want them too ! But apparently I can’t since I’m not the same color as you...
My people want to succeed & have a good life.
Don’t take away the peddle stool for us to reach new heights.
Is it safe for me to live here ? To see a new day ?
You make fake 911 calls just to keep me away.
I appreciate God, for he made me who I am.
He made us same inside, why not give me a chance ?
Oh, you won’t stop ?
Then we won’t either. We won’t give up. We won’t quit. Black Lives Matter.
You’re either with us, or against us, that’s it.
- Ha. This is our current era. Yeah the one where we have a whole pandemic going on. But after what’s been happening we don’t care about that anymore. We are still seeking equality. Which is just, ridiculous. Some people will say “I can’t believe this.” Well it’s not that hard to fathom that minorities are still treated like dirt.
The year 2020. 2020. What a shame the only thing that has been expanding is technology and not the human mind. The first thing that really caught our eyes of police MURDERING blacks was Trayvon Martin. He was one of the first that made us perk our ears up. Then we just started getting smacked in the face left and right. Then after Taylor, Aubrey, and then Floyd. Floyd. He was the last match that started an angry awakening fire. Enough is enough. And now we’re going to continue doing whatever to make a change!! And I’m tired of people saying “During this current situation”. This is not a current situation, it’s a reoccurring situation. This poem was inspired by every single person of my black community.