Subconsciously I was going through life with blinders on
I am a reasonably good person, sensitive to discrimination, I reckoned
All humans are created equal I believe
I am outraged when discrimination I perceive
I am knowledgeable, having read extensively
About the Civil Rights Movement and Black History
Or, so I would think…
I lived in general oblivion until I was brought to the brink
Of being forced to look at discrimination outrageous
And I realized my mind had been quite impervious
To racial profiling, micro and macro- aggressions
I suddenly become aware of my flawed impressions
You must find it ironic because I happen to be
A woman of color, in a minority
No stranger to micro-aggressions, I was still regrettably
Oblivious to what my fellow human-beings face daily..
***
I deeply regret that the eye-opener for me
Had to be events of such magnitude in tragedy
I am saddened by the state of affairs
And now trying my best to be self-aware
Of the subconscious racial biases that pervade
Many interactions around me, and invade
The souls of those who discrimination face
At every step, in twisted, warped ways
They carry their burdens within, they do not need
To bear the burden of creating racial awareness indeed
To support them, we need to rip apart the fabric
Of our social norms- we need changes drastic
Starting from identifying biases we carry within
Bring to surface all assumptions hidden
Then look around with open eyes and an open mind
Prepared to be dumbstruck by what we find……
Passion...unbridled 