By Jamari Jordan
Miss America can I get a second of your time?
No one quite admires your beauty and strength quite like I
You are quite remarkable in every way
But, why don’t you feel the same about me?
Why is my voice never heard?
My skin may be a little darker, but does that silence my vote
Does that give your shielded protectors to gun me down
Does that give you the right to undermine an entire culture?
I’m just walking to my house, why am I “suspicious?”
I was just coming from the gas station, is the gun necessary
I was just going to class did I have to be rolled up in gym mats
I didn’t put my turning signal on, is that why my blood is on the steering wheel?
Miss America please don’t walk away from me
I’m just trying o have an open conversation
I tried talking to your Uncle Sam
But he just raised my debt and interest rates
I just wanna know why can’t we be friends
Why are you so afraid of me
Is it my curly hair, dialect, and pride in my culture
Why do you want me to be a carbon copy of you
If you don’t like us, why are you taking my culture
Hate my dark skin, but tan yours
Hate my “ape” lips, but make yours bigger
Condemn our “devil” music, but your kids aren’t saints themselves
Miss America, I just want to know
Your grandfather owned us
Your father took our civil rights
Now, your brothers in blue shoot us down and claim victim status
Does their blue lives matter more than my black one
If All Lives Matter, when is it my turn
I’m okay in waiting
I just want to make sure I’m actually included in the conversation
Maybe until next time Miss America
I know you are very busy
I’ll be waiting to hear from you
Just reply soon, don’t know how much longer I’ll be alive.
