Walter Scott

How Scary is the Unknown?

A free black man is as dangerous as they come.
He's got no human master and answers to no one.
He's got his own education in the palm of his hand,
If he wants to protest all he has to do is stand.
He can educate himself about right and wrong,
He can defend others through his voice and song.

Yet if we crush him he's back in chains.
We save ourselves by giving him blame.

We stereotype them to believe a lie.
We steal their rights by always having a reason to deny.

We turn victims into thugs and for our own killed we respect the dead.
But when color is mentioned suddenly his behavior was asking for it in the head.

Albeit there will always be some flukes,
That we can't deny
But to look at a group and see danger in their eyes?

Although I see race as a major factor in these cases,
Truth be told I can't know their intent from their faces.

I can't judge them for something I didn't witness myself but in the case of Walter Scott,
He tried to run AWAY but still got shot!

Then the officer planted evidence at the scene,
Threw his taser down at his victim trying to wipe his guilt clean.

And now it's a wonder how we can trust a group meant to protect and serve,
It's a wonder when they feel this is what we deserve.

Our kids are "Thugs" and "Gangsters" roaming, always up to no good,
Maybe they are just kids who want to be understood?

Maybe they are humans who get scared too?
Maybe they don't have any options and need food?
Maybe they want an equal chance at life?
A chance to work hard and get some reaping from their strife.

Feel that they have a voice!
Feel that maybe for once, they will truly have a choice.