The Milwaukee Bronzeville Poet Series

Trayvon Martin was armed

Black skin is a dangerous weapon

 

I’ve seen my own make Whites cross the street to avoid me at night. Pull purses closer at my very sight.

 

As I wait at an intersection cars pull up to the light, accompanied by the surreptitious click a car door locking, the idea cocking into place.

 

Black skin is a dangerous weapon.

 

Walking while Black and the “potentially fatal condition of being Black”. That lack of lacking under-melanined skin. The mark of Cain and the Curse of Ham.

 

Black skin must be a dangerous weapon.

 

why else would so many police stop me to engage in casual interrogation as I walk out my door or return from around the block from a run.

 

Black skin will force you to repeatedly strip search it and probe it to ascertain its inherent threat. It will make you stalk it beyond reasonable intent.

 

Black skin will defy your best defenses and overwhelm you when it stands its ground.

 

 

                                           © 2014 Eric Jefferson Disambwa