“Stop! Don’t move! Stop resisting!”
Have you heard this before? Does this sound familiar? Why is this sound so familiar to only a certain race in America? Or why is America just now taking notice of what’s been happening in America for over 400 years?
Because you fit the description of a young Black man in America.
My name is Derek Lee Wilson. I am much more than a description, and I refuse to be enslaved. And I refuse to be murdered, ya’ heard me?
I am a Black man born in America to two African American parents. 1.10.1987. Let go, walk de’ walk with me.
I was born just like you in a country where the flag is red, white, and blue. The difference is, I have been reminded over and over and over again that my life doesn’t matter just because of the color of my skin. And because of the color of my skin, I have to be three times as great just so I can win, in the streets or in the pen.
Where does it all begin? When you look at my brothers and sisters, what’s your first impression? Does the sight of us leave you guessing, or do you understand the stressin’, the aggression, the look of no hope on my brothers’ faces, like the Lord overlooked us when He handed down His graces?
See, America done gave off this false sense of hope that everybody is to be treated equal. But as a Black man in today’s America, there still ain’t no such thing as being equal when you already got three strikes against you.
Just look around. What do you see? When you see the red and blues flashing, do you see your peoples, or do you see dem peoples? Do you see the pain, anger, and frustration on the faces of an entire nation who’ve been oppressed and targeted by systemic hate and discrimination? No mistaking, this is the separation.
This is not a game. Nobody back here is laughing. Why you laughing? My brothers and sisters are steadily passing away at the hands of the man who has said, “Land of the free, home of the brave,” but we ain’t never been free in a land that we were enslaved, mistreated, and buried in open graves, televised for the world to see as the man was blocking my airway.
“Momma! Momma! I can’t breathe…”
What more need I say? Because I’m feeling it more and more every day, the words you used to say: “Be careful on where you play because there’s nothing I can do for you once dem people get they hands on you.”
Real. And we still saying that to this day. Damn. Need I explain?
“I just wanna live…” was probably what my brothers and sisters were thinking before their lives were cut short and their families left at a disposition.
America at a standstill… because you fit the description. Reflections of a Black man in today’s America.
Hello to my Black Lens community and family. My name is Derek Wilson, I was born and raised in the heart of the city of Ole Spokane - East Central. My work is representation and a true testament that we not only exist, but thrive no matter where you are born. Spokane City Stand Up!