Triggered

Another day

another body

another recording on lifeless phones

capture scenes

of death

of hate

of brutality.

Another addition

to the body count

bodies add

multiplied by rage

fear to the power of social injustice

subtract human rights

divided amongst those with skin not white

those who read as other.

A deadly math equation.

Unaware I scroll

I see

I shudder

your words

filled with shock

with disbelief

with rage.

We’ve told you so many times that this is happening to us!

How are you surprised?

There aren’t lies

here.

No longer any life

here

in this body

brutalized

by hate.

---

I’ll accompany this poem with an image

Which if followed by a plea:

I understand your shock and outrage at another life brutally taken, but the unspoken rules of the game have not changed much since the civil rights era, slavery, the trail of tears, or more generally Colonialism. There’s still hate here, it hasn’t gone away, it’s just not as loudly spoken with words. Every day, mothers worry if their children will come home unharmed, even before you decided to share your shock, awe, and outrage on social media.

Be mindful of the constantly triggered and anxious state in which some live. Be mindful of what you repost and conscious of why you repost it. Not seeing color doesn’t make you an ally. Please be aware of and own up to your privilege.

Educate yourself.

Take action.

Here’s a link with some things you can do “75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice.“