Dear America,

 

I turn on my TV

 

and see a man that I know to be more dark than light

more orange than white

more white than human

declaring the future of a country I am hesitant to remain in

 

I turn on my TV

 

and see a news report

the picture tells the story of a black boy being murdered by a cop

but the voice tells the story of a black boy who didn’t put his hands up

diction makes tragedy fiction and redefines the word victim

 

I turn on my TV

 

and see another ad for a new series

this one will be a hit for sure

for people rather watch other dystopias

than their own

Things get scary when the setting looks like home

and the women in red start to look like

those who fled

from Syria

from the right

from the fight that broke out because Nazis and the KKK can have a voice but those with a conscience and a desire of peace of mind are left without

 

Tell me

are you happy?

 

Those who voted in a picture of ignorance and money

Who support diluting women in power to “honey”

Those who support a melting pot consisting of only

flour; my rue tastes better than your disillusion

 

I turn on my TV

and must silence my empathy

if I’m going to survive this news story

 

I don’t turn on my TV anymore.

 

Humanity doesn’t look good in red.

or in FOX News’s bed.

Or in Tomi Lahren’s head.

Sometimes I worry it’s dead.

 

Sometimes I stand in the rain to remember that feeling is not in vain.

 

Trying not to negate the pain

of my brothers and sisters of color

while wondering if I still have a right to complain

 

If God speaks in whispers, then the Devil must have a bullhorn

and he’s shouting from my screen--selling the rich, white men porn.

 

I turn my TV off.

 

I cannot help that

Those that stand on the floor

covering the graves of

the slaves

the Native Americans

the Hispanics

will speak of a history they did not shape--but whip into the shape

created by the strong

coveted by the weak.

 

But I will fall to my knees on the same floor,

and protect a hope of something more.

 

And until the voices on the TV align with my kneeling needs,

and the American history taught and honored in schools is one of

verity and diversity

it is we who must fill the role of TV.

 

I turn my TV off

hoping to divert the power from the program of the hour and the president undeserving of the word “our”

and into my hands.

 

Unmute us. and hear the true voice of America. Though weary, and raspy, and accented, we will tell you of a victory than cannot be won by supremacy.

But by compassion, reflection, and inspection.

 

No longer bystanders to violence,

Watching in silence.

 

Turn your TV off.

 

And speak.

 

Truly,

an American