A brown man Standing, Shouting, Speaking radicalising words. Marching as to war Showing placards of his grief, Depicting foreheads of vagabonds, Reminding others of past slavery. Their de-subjectification of freedom Their voices, A singular connotation of enough-is-enough An appetite for recognition A planting for equality A right to color A plea bargain for respect, Yet writing a throwaway of discrimination. A caged bird, Wanting to soar far beyond whiteness. Demanding equal previlege A demand costly but needed Their melancholy of racial assimilation Our sanguine of identity
Their windspread of hatred Our moment to canvas light Black A shadow of itself A belonging for many A colour they deem despicable, Yet a horizon we cherish. Looking to the future A beautiful future I too She too He too Us too They too Black too Will sit at the table of colors A dream I hope so dear
Written by Tosan Oluwakemi Thompson
This is a poem I wrote for racism and #blacklivesmatter .