in memory

penned Spring 2012.  (angrily) performed at a student-led rally in Harvard Square.  I said what I said, and I'd say it again.

I will never look at Skittles the same way again
The rainbow’s tasting mighty bitter at the moment
When a grown man can follow an innocent boy, 
aim a gun, fire ammo, 
and hide behind some law that gives license to kill
How can I sit there and sip iced tea like injustice doesn’t darken my door?
That could have been anyone’s suburb,
Anyone’s child walking back from the corner store
with a little something nice for his brother.
Zimmerman tracked Trayvon down,
And now there’s another one resting in the hereafter
Or maybe he’s talking to Troy Davis about what’s wrong with this nation.

And this time, there was no toy gun waved from afar
No blatant misunderstanding of motives
Just cold blood, a sidewalk
A beverage and some colorful candy--
The world’s unlikeliest weapons

And let’s not forget the police
Who took a whole month 
to think of this boy as a murder victim
To consider treating the shooter like a suspect
To acknowledge that Trayvon’s family is desperate for answers.

We all want answers.
As new pieces come together,
We look at this story in disbelief,
Asking ourselves,
Is this what it looks like to protect and serve?
Since when did my brother become a threat to my neighborhood?
Am I too dangerous to walk outside at night?

Hoodies up, hands in pockets
We stand here to mourn the loss of another life not guilty.
Rest in peace, justice for all.