Jun 11, 2015

Dear Privileged Friend

My Poem to friends that have responded to the Texas Pool Party with ignorance and arrogance
By Cristobal Mauricio Villegas / filmsforaction.org
Dear Privileged Friend

Dear Privileged Friend:

You hear the terms “Black” and “White” and the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

You see the news of a White cop beating up a Black girl and you say, “She should have had more respect.”

You read posts about #BlackLivesMatter and you respond with #WhiteLivesMatter, you’re trying to deflect.

You touch the subject of race and respond with “Let’s not talk about it, let’s not the destroy the peace we have in effect.”

Hear the cries of the oppressed, not the opinions of the Oppressors; don't follow as sheep cause you’ll be the transgressors.  

See the ignorance that bleeds through your comments, the viscosity of your ignorance is slow as promised.

Read about those who have lived it, who have cried and yelled for mercy; instead of exclaiming, “Your Race Card is not worthy.”

Touch your fellow brother and sister, feel their pain.  Wipe the dirt off their faces and look at them again.  

Know this: As you say “don’t play the race card” you are stating, “don’t tell me your experience. Don’t tell me about the harassment you have gone through, don’t tell me about the oppression you have suffered through. Don’t tell me about the injustices that have slammed you down, about the perpetual poverty that surrounds."

And they will exclaim,  "Don’t tell me to suck it up, don’t tell me to just obey. Don’t tell me to sit still while you pillage my pride away.”

No longer is it just to just watch, to stand idly by, to listen to the preacher but not to act.  No longer is it enough to repost or to share a video, to like a photo or to troll. No.  No longer is it acceptable to stay on the sidelines; but rather, stand up and hold the hands of the oppressed.  Cry with those who are crying.  Comfort those who are in need of comforting.  Stand up with those that have been pushed down.  The choice is yours my Privileged Friend, act or react. 

Sincerely, 
Your Privileged Friend.

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