Black Poets Society: Performative Action

Donalda Brantley
“Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope” The Black Lens

Are the words that Martin Luther king jr wrote.

I wear this cross around my neck but never a rope

All these people look at me and think of me as a joke

They still have the mindset of the past

their mind is set like old folks.

I keep my head low and voice lower just as I was told.

Don’t speak unless spoken to or else the belt would unfold.

Well I started speaking more and then they told me I was “bold”

Brave like the land of the “free” but abide by their rules before they push you overseas

Overnight activities to booster our longevity but failures to look within only bolster the negativity

You post on your Instagram and maybe your Facebook too

But side eye the black women that you lose to.

Their eyes were watching and

We seen em too.

It’s hard to face reality

When you realize you’re a part of the mentality

You Preach and praise overnight but in the morning you’re out of sight

Putting up your white picket fences never wanting to actually fight

You’re tired you just want to rest

We get it

You’re wishy washy

You’re just like the rest