The System
The system is doing
What it was designed
To do.
The system
Was designed
To isolate
To over work
Encourage scarcity and destroy community response
Misogynistic,
Racist,
It's built in.
America has never fully accepted its history
Of eugenics.
In 2018
I was at a Halloween party
At a brewery
An event, in public
The winner of the costume contest
Was wearing blackface.
The crowd cheered for this person.
I remember feeling so unsafe, knowing, suddenly and (to my shame) surprisedly, that I was one of the only people in the space not clapping.
The shame is important.
As palm colored people it is vital to be ashamed of our ancestors.
It
Is
Vital.
Not just uncomfortable and inconvenient and feels like a big problem we didn't create. But it is vital to be ashamed of the horrors we benefit from.
I met a Christian missionary at a child's birthday party.
And we were speaking about racism. Dancing around it, like we can. And I was caught
By her distinct lack
Of shame
For her invasive actions. Directly linked, as they were, to ongoing racism throughout the world.
I've learned not to be surprised.
Surprise at racism is privilege.
Surprise and concern is performative.
Learn to see it early.
Learn to confront it.
Learn to heal it within yourself when you find it.
Easier to write a poem about it. Painfully obvious that a poem won't heal 700 years of pain and colonial murder.
Healing.
Nonlinear movements through your thoughts and reactions. Making space for safety.
Making space for safety.
How safe are you?
Really. Statistically.
Ask yourself.
Was the system
Designed for you?
Are you doing its work,
For it?