I Will Not Sit While They Fall
But for those who need to listen
And those who need to be heard.
I write this in a language I am comfortable using
Not because I can’t write otherwise
But because I’ll use this privilege I have
To get their message out there.
I may not be like them, in culture and in belief
I may not understand their songs and traditions
But if I understand one thing, it’s this:
We can’t misunderstand them.
This is a call out post, to those who don’t care
Who don’t try to understand and instead avert their eyes
Who cover their ears when they scream for help
Who lock their doors when they come knocking.
We can’t let this stand, let this continue
For as long as we are blind, society will stumble
We are as good as are weakest link
We are as great as the least in our land.
I was taught to speak and use my words
Not hold my tongue even if I’ll get burnt
To not fear the consequences
But to fear an unchallenged evil
To fear an unchanged status quo.
You say I have no right to speak
I never suffered like them
I should enjoy my privilege while I can
But I have no right to stay silent
Not when they still suffer
Not when their pushed to the ground.
They’ve seen what I can never stomach
As young as me, yet their eyes are older
Opened to a reality that was colder
Freezing in hatred, wanting to feel warmth
Other than when blood runs down their body.
This is a callout to the government
To the tyrants who do not lead us to light
But rules us in the dark.
You tried to silence them, gouge out their eyes to keep them blind
But not even the blind are safe from gunshots and pain.
You tried to silence them, but you never will
Even if you blind them, we’ll be their guides
Raise up their hands in unity
If you want to hurt them, you’ll have to hurt us.
I’m not afraid of the consequences
They aren’t, so why should I be?
Call me subversive, brainwashed
Those who will outlive you
The cause that will outlast you.
You shoot us down, damn us to hell
And we’ll drag you down by the chains that you placed on us
Rejoice in your screams as you did ours.
I am still young, but I’ll be damned if I play dumb
If I pretend that all is good and fine.
I will not stand up for the flag of a murderer
Not clap for a speech of curses and empty promises
And I sure as hell won’t kneel down before a throne
I stand with those who continue to fight back
Because even if you shoot them down
We’ll be there to hold them up
We’ll remain standing even as you fall.