The System

The system is doing

What it was designed

To do.

The system

Was designed

To isolate

To over work

Encourage scarcity and destroy community response

Misogynistic,

Racist,

It's built in.

America has never fully accepted its history

Of eugenics.

In 2018

I was at a Halloween party

At a brewery

An event, in public

The winner of the costume contest

Was wearing blackface.

The crowd cheered for this person.

I remember feeling so unsafe, knowing, suddenly and (to my shame) surprisedly, that I was one of the only people in the space not clapping.

The shame is important.

As palm colored people it is vital to be ashamed of our ancestors.

It

Is

Vital.

Not just uncomfortable and inconvenient and feels like a big problem we didn't create. But it is vital to be ashamed of the horrors we benefit from.

I met a Christian missionary at a child's birthday party.

And we were speaking about racism. Dancing around it, like we can. And I was caught

By her distinct lack

Of shame

For her invasive actions. Directly linked, as they were, to ongoing racism throughout the world.

I've learned not to be surprised.

Surprise at racism is privilege.

Surprise and concern is performative.

Learn to see it early.

Learn to confront it.

Learn to heal it within yourself when you find it.

Easier to write a poem about it. Painfully obvious that a poem won't heal 700 years of pain and colonial murder.

Healing.

Nonlinear movements through your thoughts and reactions. Making space for safety.

Making space for safety.

How safe are you?

Really. Statistically.

Ask yourself.

Was the system

Designed for you?

Are you doing its work,

For it?