By Richard Wallace
Running while black
I heard this on the news
The announcer had it right
Big mistake
This young mans crime was
Running while black
It got this young man shot
Shot in the back
Killed for
Running while black
*****
Standing while black
This is my take on it
Mine
A twelve year old boy
Plays in the park with friends
Proud of his plastic gun
The police roll up
No conversation
Three seconds later he’s dead
Standing while black
*****
Being born while black
A life sentence
No chance of parole
No probation
Criminalized-stigmatized
Incarcerated-ized and brutalized
Segregated-ized and marginalized
Easily recognized
Being born while black
*****
(c) Richard Wallace Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada 10 Feb. 2019
New York Times
Categories: Uncategorized
Richard – I hope this one is in your book, which I very much look forward to reading.
I remember Lenny Henry ( British comedian) saying that he was very much aware, particularly in America, of people looking askance at him in the street, because…he’s a large black man.
Non-sense.
I’ve just re-read you poem, and….it could be by Gil Scott-Heron! Especially the last verse. Praise indeed.