Marginalized Melanin

As the red and white hat placed on top of a wide-eyed, blond haired child

Was photographed to make history.Slurred words projecting

“Make America Great Again” was yelled by the crowd.

The atmosphere was ridged, people furious for a change.

Change that could better a society in shambles, they said.

But the people affected by the chains of society,

long corroded and stiff with bruised wrists and broken spirits.

Hidden by the layers of oppression and topped with the cherry of assault.

“Those people”, the brave, the strong, the resilient. They

Became activists, lined up outside speaking for those who can’t,

Whose last words were pleas of “I can’t breathe”.

What greatness have we reached?

The ivory towers accessible for those of a lighter melanin?

The darker the shade? The lower you fall on the totem pole?

How can we promote making something great again,

that never was great after all?

How do you tell the brown haired, brown skin boy sitting

with braids long, tight and proud, framing his face.

His smile was weak with worry.Shadowed with pain, and uncertainty.

Does the life next to him matter more?

Do we forget him? Marginalize them?