Dark Skin,

Dark skin,

Large lips,

Wide noses,

And a powerful history.

These are trademarks of my people,

BLACK people.

We have fought, and struggled, and died for our futures,

And we are still being denied.

On social media, like TikTok,

We are being forced down on the for you pages.

White creators are using our content and getting all the glory.

When you hear the name Charlie D'amelio, what do you think of?

You may think of TikTok, or the renegade.

I think of how she stole the original dance

From a BLACK creator.

And after learning, she’s done NOTHING,

To spread the positivity she receives,

To spread the fame.

If you look her up on Google, you will see American dancer.

She didn’t make those dances up, she stole them.

It was only after many famous people did it without credit,

The world learned it was originally by Jalaiah Harmon.

A young black dancer.

And it’s not just social media.

Recently George Floyd was killed.

By four white police officers.

Want to know what they did,

Minneapolis.

Had the GALL.

To say “it’s unforgivable”

And then fire them.

That's all.

They just handed them a pink slip.

And said “It’s ok that you killed this innocent black man, here's a job referral so that you’ll be sure to get another job. Have fun!”

One kneeled on this poor man's neck,

While he gasped, and said

“I can’t breathe”

He knew what he was doing.

He could have stopped,

But he didn’t

And Floyd died.

And they just fired them.

People are protesting,

The family is saying they should be harshly punished,

And I agree.

And you can’t say “it's because black’s are more violent

Don’t you see they live in the bad neighborhoods,

And there are shootings everyday!

And oh dear, they’re in gangs!”

Ok, sure.

What race are most school shooters,

What race was Dylan Kebold?

What about Dylann Roof?

George Floyd was charged with ALLEGED forgery,

FORGERY!

Dylann Roof, who we knew killed those black families,

Just trying to exercise religion,

Was taken in peacefully.

This man MURDERED my PEOPLE.

And was taken in like he got a DUI.

But they killed George in daylight,

While being filmed, and they knew,

The system would protect them.

The system was made to protect the public.

Not the police.

I’m scared of the police.

I’m scared that one day, my dad will be pulled over for no reason,

And that someone I know and love could be next.

I’m tired of fighting for my rights,

And being followed around in stores.

Someone I know has been asked to empty their pockets in a store,

A respectable, kind person.

Just because he was black.

This melanin that’s in my skin,

Remember all the pain our ancestors have experienced.

We will rise,

And we won't be silenced.