Why Do We Riot?

Otis Hunter, Jr.

Why do we riot? Because a riot is the language of the unheard; Peaceful protests breed violence, But they are gibberish to the ignorant; We march and we are garnished with pepper spray and mustard gas, We are seen as dirty animals and we are hosed down as proof, We raise our fists and they are studded with handcuffs, But burning a cross is peaceful, Starting a race war and sending the killer to Burger King is peaceful, Kneeling at a football game matters more than kneeling on a man’s neck; But they have the nerve to ask us why we riot?

The government thinks a riot is a magnet for chaos; But for the oppressed, For the broken, For the hopeless, They are answered prayers for damned people; The smoke clears the smoke screen of injustices; If you don’t work, you don’t eat, So how can you give us empty plates when we starve for change?

We riot against the criminals who walk like saints, We riot for the brothers and sisters who can’t from the grave, We riot because our ancestors built this country anyway, So, if we tear it down, you will realize what it’s like to have nothing; Anger does not permit property damage or stealing, But, when merchandise matters more than merchants dying, we have a problem.

People of color in America are atoms compared to gods; We are Adams and Eves compared to God after the fall; We are all Cains never able to become Abel without canes; If we held the reins, If we had control, If we could break down the barriers this country stands on, we wouldn’t have to riot;

All lives can never matter if one life... If my life… Never did.