racism

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The problem is that white people see racism as conscious hate

when racism is much larger than you imagine

Racism is a complex system of social and political levers and pulleys

set up generations ago to continue working on the behalf of whites at other people’s expense,

whether whites know it or not.

Racism is an insidious cultural disease that spreads like AIDS that destroys the immune system

only it's not our bodies dying, it's our ignorant souls

It is so hideous that it doesn’t care if you are a white person who likes a person of color

it’s still going to find a way to impact your life in how you deal with people who don’t look like you.

but once again, we forget that we are all brothers and sisters from different mothers that bleed red

Yes, racism looks like hate, but hate is just one manifestation. Privilege is another. Access is another. Ignorance is another. Apathy is another. And so on.

So while I agree with people who say no one is born racist, it remains a powerful system that we’re immediately born into.

It’s like being born into a breeze

when you absorb the peaceful winds that blows with grace

It’s not a cold that you can get over.

There is no anti-racist certification class, but we can educate one another about love and acceptance

It’s a set of socioeconomic traps and cultural values that are fired up every time we interact with the world.

It is an urgency you have to keep your life afloat so you don't drown

it's not hard work actually

but it’s the price you pay for owning everything."

Guide that inspired this poem: 

Comments

Angelwith1wing

Your right racism isn't just hate and it does affect most of our lives so we need to face it and destroy it. Parts of your poem remind me of this scene in the movie 42. A little white boy was talking to I believe his father about the baseball event and how excited he was. The little boy wasn't even thinking about being racist. As soon as Jackie Robinson steps out onto the baseball field, the boy's father along with the rest of the crowd starts to yell rascist terms at Jackie Robinson. The boy looks up at his father and everyone completely stunned and confused. This is where your quote "we're immediately born into" rascism kicks in for the little boy feeling pressured by his own people joins along in yelling rascist terms at Jackie Robinson. It was beyond sad for the innocent children look up to those they love for direction and end up getting direction to terrible paths such as racism. This cycle needs to be broken right now and it starts with our youth taking a stand for what is right to fix what their parents did wrong. Thanks for writing a very strong poem with a very powerful message. God bless and keep writing on my friend:)!!!   

MVP-Most Valuable Poet

which reminds me

i had the pleasure to watch the movie 42

one of the most powerful quotes i ever heard was when he said

"i'm not concern if you like or dislike me, all i ask is respect me as a human being"-Jackie Robinson

this poem is made to open up eyes

check out my other poems

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