It Is Your Turn

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

The Privileged Ones

Privileged! 

When you hear the word privileged 

You don't picture a brown or black face

Because our privilege is one gotten through struggles and fights

When you hear the word privileged 

Why is it white privilege

Black and brown privilege must be usurped 

You too are privileged 

So own it

Claim it

Don't apologize for it

We've gotten our privilege at the end of a noose

By the bite of a dog

From the water of a fire hose

From the colonizers brutality 

We've gotten our privilege from marches

The lash of the whip

The back of the bus

From the policeman's gun

We've gotten our privilege from being strong

Determined 

Unyielding 

Surviving

So when you hear the term privileged 

Own it

Claim it

Don't apologize for it

Because this is your country 

No matter how you got here

This is your neighborhood

Your neighborhood before it was cool 

Hip 

Gentrified 

In order to be perceived as privileged 

You have to behave as such...

Don't let others tell you you're not entitled because you possess too much melanin 

Don't let others tell you you're not entitled because you live in the "wrong" zip code

Don't let others tell you you're not entitled because your school isn't given the proper allocation of funds

Don't let others tell you you're not entitled because they hate you while secretly wishing they possess your lips, butt, shade, swag 

Don't let others tell you you're not entitled because they think you're good enough to raise their children but not good enough to be their friend 

Don't let others tell you you're not entitled

So when you hear the term privileged 

Own it

Claim it

Don't apologize for it

Because you're beautiful 

Strong

Determined 

Unyielding 

Surviving 

You're entitled to all of it

So act like it

You're privileged

Don't apologize

We are the privileged ones!

###

*This poem is dedicated to every melanin infused Homo sapiens... ranging from brown to black, to all our immigrant brothers and sisters in the struggle, to all the refugees, to all those who seek a better life for their families. I see you!

Get Out

Oh my fucking goodness, that movie was good. Great. Excellent. Can I start my first movie review blog like that? Well I guess I just did…because that was my reaction when the movie ended. One hour and 44 minutes of laughter, fear, WTF moments, drama, sweating, a few jumps from my seat and a few screams of kill that motherfu**er. Get Out is a modern day thriller that tries to tackle race relations and black stereotypes, the evils of suburbia, the pain of loss and the awkwardness of meeting the girlfriend’s family…  It’s Meet the Parents and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner meet The Stepford Wives. It’s brilliant. It’s suspenseful. It’s funny. Only the mind of Jordan Peele can come up with this concept. 

Synopsis: a young African-American man travels upstate with his Caucasian girlfriend to meet her parents. At first, you think the discomfort he feels is simply because he’s the "first" black boyfriend she’s taken home. Then the country club friends arrive and you soon begin to realize there’s something sinister at play. But what unfolds is totally mind boggling and it takes you on a ride like no other horror movie has before. The tea cup. The bingo game. The red box. You MUST see this movie…and if the Academy does not nominate this film for an Oscar, they will be terribly remiss in their duties.

#GetOut

#OscarBuzz

DO NOT WATCH IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN GET OUT, CONTAINS SPOILERS:

Did you read this article?

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/11/whites_see_blacks_as_superhuman_strength_speed_pain_tolerance_and_the_magical.html

These perceptions were tied into Get Out and painfully shows how racism is still a major part of our society.  If you’ve ever wondered why cops think black men are more dangerous or older than they are…this article may explain.