Why is it that whenever he listens to music on the street, he has to go off like crazy?
Why does his body move the way it does when he's jamming?
Why didn't he think about not using his headphones on the street sooner?
Why?
If only he didn't dance like a crazy guy, he wouldn't have to be in this position.
If only he didn't know how to dance. If only he would've watched out, instead of mindlessly jamming.
He would have seen the car. He would have seen that he was alone. He would have seen that they were three. He would have seen that they were stopping right behind him.
And he would have seen it coming.
As he knew his uncle had been shot once too. He knew all too well what happened to lone young black men if they didn't watch out. He knew they were onto us. Onto every single one of us.
He knew better than to turn around quickly. He knew better than to put his hand in his pocket, trying to shut off his music. He knew better than to do all that right in front of three armed officers. Right in front of three armed officers who were already shouting at him.
"Put your hands above your head! I said put your hands-"
Boom, one shot. Boom, two shots. Boom, three.
If only he listened. If only he didn't dance. If only he just walked straight home from school without stopping to get a soda from the gas station.
If only he lived in a different neighbourhood.
If only his parents could afford a better place to bring up their only child.
If only his father weren't unable to work due to his health.
If only he went to a different school.
If only he were part of a different family.
If only that family were white.
If only he were white.
If only he were white, he would not have been shot three times.
If only he were white, he would not have been stopped by police officers for walking on the streets alone.
If only he were white, he would not have been walking home that way.
If only he were white, his school would have been in another district.
If only he were white, his father might have a job.
If only he were white, his mother might not have to work three jobs to keep them over water.
If only he were white, he might have had a future.
If only he were white, he would not have been shot three times.
If only he were white.
If only he were white.
If only he were white.
