because i’m tired of trying to get you to understand.

black lives matter protests for equity in the united states

rioters, violence in the streets, people terrified for their lives

we want peace, we want justice, we want equality. we receive:

violence, disgust and rage from those who refuse to understand

we kneel with our hands raised, masks on, voices loud.

you look at us and sneer, spittle flying and handcuffs ready

you arrest us for our opinion, the truth that we speak

you look at the seven percent of violence and riots instead

of the ninety-three percent of the peaceful protesting.

election day. there is no landslide, but there are absentees.

you are in the streets, we are terrified for our lives, and you,

you are angry that you will no longer have that power.

when we watch you repeat our history, we sit in silence, in awe.

when you are protesting to stop the counting of ballots,

we say that it hurts when no one wants to listen to you, right?

when you storm buildings without masks and full of rage,

we say that this looks familiar, but there are no rubber bullets.

when you scream at the top of your lungs to be heard,

we say that we did the same thing, but we were suffocated instead.

no matter how the election turns out, this is our country,

but you are ready to fight your fellow countrymen, aren't you?

no matter what happens in the future, we are all american.

when you threaten to take our rights away, we are beneath you.

no matter what we do to show you the double-standard,

you are blind to the truth, blind to your hypocrisy, to your privilege.

no matter if you walk in the footsteps of those before you,

remember that we protested to be heard. you answered with violence.

no matter your skin color, we are supposed to love you.

but if you happen to be white, we will love you more.