Jun 2020
But the view's fine from here,
they say, all carbon copy cloying concern.
They don't know that the sun doesn't rise
and set quite so exquisitely
when your sky
is on fire.
But the view's from fine here,
they maintain, as unsaid words skulk in the throat.
They don't notice the skin that burns and crackles
and stretches at a breaking point
that's been broken
for years.
But the view's fine from here,
they confirm. And then turn away.
They don't see what shouldn't be seen,
what eyes can't afford to shut
even as glass splinters
edge closer.
And they are right, really,
because their view truly is fine from here.
#BlackLivesMatter i
they say, all carbon copy cloying concern.
They don't know that the sun doesn't rise
and set quite so exquisitely
when your sky
is on fire.
But the view's from fine here,
they maintain, as unsaid words skulk in the throat.
They don't notice the skin that burns and crackles
and stretches at a breaking point
that's been broken
for years.
But the view's fine from here,
they confirm. And then turn away.
They don't see what shouldn't be seen,
what eyes can't afford to shut
even as glass splinters
edge closer.
And they are right, really,
because their view truly is fine from here.
#BlackLivesMatter i
It's been an indescribable week for the whole world. Watching all the scenes coming out of the US feels like watching a film you can't hit pause on. And I couldn't not write about it. .
First, I wanted to write from the perspective of someone in the riots, someone who's suffering from this appalling inequality. But it didn't feel right. I'm a white woman living in the UK, so this isn't my reality. The reality is that I benefit from my white privilege every day. And the reality is that many, many people in my position, with my privilege simply refuse to fully see what is going on, and don't attempt to empathise with those suffering.
.
I dream of a day we all understand our privilege and use it to help those whose voices are drowned out. #BlackLivesMatter
First, I wanted to write from the perspective of someone in the riots, someone who's suffering from this appalling inequality. But it didn't feel right. I'm a white woman living in the UK, so this isn't my reality. The reality is that I benefit from my white privilege every day. And the reality is that many, many people in my position, with my privilege simply refuse to fully see what is going on, and don't attempt to empathise with those suffering.
.
I dream of a day we all understand our privilege and use it to help those whose voices are drowned out. #BlackLivesMatter
