In My Black Skin
KELLY J [Kelz] NEWSON
Copyright 2020 by Kelly J. Newson

Feeling the breeze
Listening to the birds chirping
Enjoying nature as I run around my block
Something I do daily and something I love
Feeling no fear like a normal day
But there was something different today
Because I was chased down and shot like an animal
All because my murderers thought I was a criminal and had to be running from something
This is my neighborhood just as much as it is their’s
Or is it really?
Or were they out patrolling like the old slave masters of America’s past?
Hoping to keep me in my place like they did my ancestors
They love seeing my black bleed
And cut off our body parts for souvenirs
Calling it a picnic
As they post pictures and videos
Just to instill fear in our community
As they fantasize about my beautiful black queens
And my black brothers killed or jailed
So when you see me running,
Walking across that graduation stage,
Drafted into a sports league,
Voting,
Providing for my family,
Opening my own business,
Buying my first home,
Or just enjoying life with friends and family
I am minding my own business,
And yes I am black
But I am no threat to you or anyone else
I am only minding my own business and you should too

0 comments on “In My Black Skin”