Get up, stand up.

I’m calling in all my white friends:

You claim you’re not racist, 

And I don’t mean to offend, 

But you were born into privilege,

and given a lens 

That keeps you from seeing 

Why this system must end. 

Or even that there is a system, 

Because it’s harder to see 

When the entire program 

Is built around white reality. 

It’s in mass incarceration, 

Not because they’re guilty,

But because our whole nation 

Was built on slavery.

Because the color of your skin 

Determines opportunity,

And “justice” for your sins, 

Means white impunity. 

It’s in no voting rights, 

Nor access to land, 

Where’s prosperity 

If you can’t have a hand? 

See white folk have access 

To The American Dream, 

A concept not as attainable 

As it might seem. 

We live in an illusion, 

They’ve painted for us. 

So please tell me why

You sit at the front of the bus? 

While your Earth siblings suffer,

And die in the streets, 

Innocent are murdered

By not-so-discreet police. 

Our siblings of color 

Are begging to be seen, 

To be given basic rights 

Like the privilege to breathe.

See, this isn’t their fight — 

It’s on us to speak up, 

Dismantle inequality 

And pour into their cup. 

These are our convos to have, 

We must lead the way, 

For it was our ancestors 

Who stole their freedom away. 

Don’t look down, 

don’t feel ashamed, 

Take accountability 

And remove self-blame.

Let’s transmute this pain, 

And keep each other in Truth! 

Get educated, get involved — 

Head down to the booth.

Use your voice, 

Use your privilege, 

Use the skin on your back, 

To live a life of integrity, 

Where we say the word “Black”,

Not in caution 

Or fear 

Or distasteful shun — 

But in honor 

And reverence 

Of all that they’ve done:

This country

This economy 

The whole fucking “Dream”, 

Was woven by hands of color, 

And we’re ripping out the seams.