April 14-15, 2021
The word, “racism,” wasn’t created until
the dawn of the 20th century.
The act of “racism” has been continuous
Since 1619.
“Modern racism” does not exist—
There is only one racism.
The concept remains the same.
Only the weapons have changed,
And even those, not so much.
17th to 19th centuries:
Ship cargo holds
Whips
Chains
Arson
Beatings
Dragging
Fists
Ropes
Rape
Sticks
19th to 21st centuries:
Whips
Chains
Arson
Automobiles
Beatings
Dragging
Firebombs
Fire hoses
Fists
Guns
Ropes
Rape
Spitting
Sticks
We didn’t ask to come here.
You filled the bowels
of your huge wooden ships
with our black bodies
laid supine, row upon row,
like slaughtered meat.
You beat out of our minds
our homes,
our families,
our tongues,
our lives
just so you could have
What?
Beasts of burden
To do your dirty work
To satisfy your lust
To signify your might
To justify your power.
And, for that, we should be
What?
Compliant?
Grateful?
Invisible?
Obedient?
Obsequious?
None of this was enough.
Is this blind hatred inferiority masquerading as superiority?
How do we break this Gordian knot?
About this poem: This poem is a work in progress. It will be part of a book (in progress), with the working title, Deconstructing Race. With all the recent and not-so-recent talk about the value of Black lives in America, my soul is heavy with anger, frustration, and righteous anger. Words are all I have to get through these times…. And it will take time to complete this work.
baltimoreblackwoman 