First, they came for the Mexicans
and I tried to speak up, but no one took me seriously
because I am not Mexican
Then they came for the dreamers
And I tried to speak up, no one took me seriously
because I’m not a dreamer
Then they ignored Puerto Rico
and I tried to speak up but no one took me seriously
because I’m not Puerto Rican
Then they ignored the Virgin Islands
and I tried to speak up but no one took me seriously
because I’m not from the Virgin Islands
Then they called my sister countries shit holes
and I stood up once again because this is too much
So I donate my time, my money, my effort and energy
I let my sisters and brothers know that we are ONE
When the racists come
brown and black are all lumped in together
So remember, we’ve been here before
this is not the first time that hate has dominated a nation
It’s not the first time that people of color are demeaned
It’s not the first time that we’ve seen hate and ignorance in the white house…
and it won’t be the last
…
When we complained about the society’s ills
you said we were exaggerating
when we complained about racism in hailing a taxi
you said that couldn’t have happened
when we told you that we were being abused by police
you did not believe even when we showed you the videos
when we told you that elections have consequences
you continue to vote against your interest
when we told you that racism did not die with the election of Barack
you were hopeful and wanted a path forward
When we told you that 45 didn’t create racism in this country
you seem to have amnesia and forget all of the above
when we tell you that racism is the foundation that built this nation
you seem to quote some bullshit rhetoric that still proves that fact
So
Don’t tell me to get over it
don’t tell me that that was years ago
Don't tell me that slavery is over
don’t tell me I’m using the race card
My reality is different from yours
when you ask me to march
I say, nope, it’s your turn
I'm tired of marching
when you ask me to stand with women in sisterhood
I say, who did you vote for
I've been standing, oftentimes alone
So…
It's your turn to march
it is your turn to speak up
it is your turn to be hosed
it is your turn to be set on by dogs
it is your turn to understand my anger
So go on and march
…It. Is. Your. Turn.
Inspired by…
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
by Martin Niemoller
