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Foreword: This chapbook is about the realization of police brutality. This topic has been something that hurt the black communities. As a human not being able to live life freely and comfortably is sad. Police Brutality makes being black it hard for all my brothers and sisters, we can’t walk, talk, dress or even live a certain way without being stereotyped. Our stereotype is who we are expected to be. People don’t expect us to be scholars or doctors; they hold the black community to the lowest standard possible. My goal is to have the audience feel the emotion coming from parents, victims , and overall community perspective with police brutality. My work is broken down into parts , I have parents as victims, children, and a poem that shows that anyone can be labeled as dangerous, not just black people.As you read my poem you will feel that raw sensation of grief,anger, and confusion. There will also be a segment of psychological impacts of the witnesses. The scenarios I've created are people's everyday experiences.After reading my work I hope to have awakened a fire pit inside your heart. I want everyone as a whole to come together and say enough is enough. This chapbook can be the start of something different. Instead of hearing about the pain you can read the words of the oppressed. We can fight for those who have fallen and together we can prove that black community is more than just your average day “thug” but that we are capable of greatness.
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Dedication In memories of Breonna Taylor,George Floyd, Shandra Bland, Trayvon Martin , Rayshard Brooks, Atatiana Jefferson,Stephon Clark, Botham Jean, Philando Castille,Alton Sterling Akai Gurley, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Alvin Cole, Harold Spencer, Tyree Davis,Derrick Thompson, Jonathan Lee Adams, Tyler M Jones, Kamal Flowers, Tyrell “Rex” Fincher,Michael Thomas, Phillip Jackson, Joshua Johnson and every other African American who has lost their lives to Police Brutality. Your story isn’t over, WE ARE THE BEGINNING.
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Table of Content Define Police……………………………………………………………….… pg 5
Wrong Place………………………………………………………………......pg 6
The Start of a Revolution…………………………………………………....pg 7
Crime Scene………………………………………………………………...pg 8
My Words to you…………………………………………………………...pg 9
Sorry,Momma……………………………….……………………………….pg 10
Am I loved…………………………………………………………………....pg 12
What is Life…………………………………………………………………..pg 13
Artist Bio……………………………………………………………………...pg 14
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Define police. Police officers ( a man or woman whose job is to serve and protect the community by arresting criminals, preventing crime, and keeping the public in check.) a person who is in charge of life or death. Someone who can get away will murder and enjoy life meanwhile I’m lying between afterlives. Someone who doesn't understand what it's like to feel like a prey being hunted by some savage beast. Someone who is always right and in the eyes of the law is god. They think Police Officers are gods because they are untouchable. Someone who has weapons knows no bonds but if you're black then it’s a plus because they can set off a few rounds. Instead of practicing common decency they learned how to end a life swiftly. Maybe police officers are people who are scared of the newer days.
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Wrong Place Exploring the world, for things I’m not use to In a place of peace, I’m search for something to keep. Not a care in the world but living my life. without the resolve of my own time. I am not wrong but I’m also not right unfortunately i am flawed individual.A tiny error, a signal change was the end of the world for me. Not aware of my surrounding, I looked back and seen The man of uniform was chasing after me. My body all tense and stress, i light up a smoke to breathe some air into me.The man feeling threatened by a cigarette “Get out the car” “I will light you up” I can’t help but record for my safety. I asked the officer “You’re doing all of this for a failure to signal?” Who would have known those were my last moments on the outside world. In a cell, is where I died. Out of all the criminals running around, I suffered the repercussion Of an angry white man. Who am I? Sandra Bland That’s my name.
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The Start of a Revolution I understand / the world is unjustifiable The justice we seek/ isn’t within reach White cop/ black man/ impenitence White cop/white man/ intuition Life isn't fair/ but we got to/move forward How can/ I ignore/ the people in pain The pain/ is so deep / I’m choking in my sleep In memory of George Floyd/Breonna Taylor I coughed up/ my lungs Not being/able to breathe Not able / to scream Unable to sleep/ where is that dream that was promised/ in the land of the free It’s the world/ We can change it/ as one One voice/ One message/ can free us all
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Crime Scene According to Police Officers ,criminals are unjustifiable. Death to them all , but if you're white you can get arrested. Officers do their normal routine coffee, donuts, park at the family dollar watch cars drive by. They make cheap bets just to pass the day by. Now, a black man seems to be in a rush speeding, not realizing there is a policeman parked in the area. The officers chased them down and approached them with their gun cocked in their pocket. The officer did get a little aggressive, maybe even trigger happy but who cares, He was dangerous not a big deal. He had his fun now things get back slow until, Suddenly, cars are jammed pack in the exits,people scattered across the parking trying to escape. Bullets don’t have targets, the criminals , normal civilians, created this chaos. Kids are just kids,they don’t mean any harm but caused blood stains. Shopping aint just shopping.Survival is key.families torn apart in literally a second the serial killer was white, not black He lived , but we died, newspaper headline “ 23 killed, 23 Injured, Shooter CAUGHT ” “Traffic Stop gone wrong, Victim KILLED” it appeared that reality hits,white people can be dangerous too. Will we be justifiable, nope we still pay the price 8
My words to you Dear Officers, I want to take the time and apologize for my husband's discretion. I didn’t realize his skin was darker than most. I’m sorry he looked like a thug in his casual wear. I’m sorry he questioned your actions.I’m sorry he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m sorry he cried and begged you to stop hurting him. My husband wasn’t the criminal you made him out to be. He was the most gentle and educated man , I’ve ever known.He was an amazing father to our kids. Now, all they have left is distance memories. Memories that are clouded in confusion and hurt. I want to thank you for the opportunity to enlighten my children on the reason why their father was considered a “suspect.” I’m really excited to explain that our skin color “black” is a weapon. Now, I have to teach my children how to survive. I have to coach them on police protocol. I have to teach them how to pray because their life doesn’t matter.Instead of kids being kids we have to normalize being a victim. Kids will never be able to be carefree. We have to normalize your hostility against the black community. We have to blame ourselves for your transgression. We have to praise you as if you're some god,because our future lies between your fingers.Now I ask you, “What needs to change?” You or us. Sincerely, Your average black woman 9
Sorry, Momma The sky dark and weary and the chills of fear run down my back as the life I used to know comes to an end. the hardness of a pistol crushes my temple and the demons in the shadow holding my legs in place, to the point I can't walk or move. The same woman's voice echoed in my head. “Officer, please don’t take my only son away my baby, my innocent son don’t bring pain into his childish ways the future is what we yearn for Justice is justice but life isn’t disposable Not him lord please take me” I knew it was time.the eyes of faith was sealed Locked on the regrets leading to these moments the flashbacks of happiness steered my eyes when the trumpets played it’s tune And the blood pour out red and blue no more pain or sorrow, there was peace in the seconds the tragedy ends with hate and grief This is the America we sought to keep. 10
Am I loved Poetry is a way to show your love and appreciations You can show the world who you are. But I wonder Am I Loved the same way as poetry Am I loved after the storms passes Am I loved when I powder my skin So it can look a little dull in the dark Am I Loved When the police pull me over and I being cooperative Or is it that my music Maybe it's the sports I play or is it that I’m scraping around for respect Am I loved when I wake up And work my 9-5 and go home Am I loved when I wear my baggy pants with my gym shoes Am I loved when I scream I live here Am I loved when heart fades and sounds of bullets deafen my ears 11
What is Life people... wondered about how... life should be lived they spend ...so much time ...wondering if they are doing the wrong or right things... life is something ...thats brings you joy...life is waking up...seeing that you... can make a better day today... than you... did yesterday people don’t consider death…..until it awaits you.. life can only be…what you make of it....If only… if only you could see …..the world’s potential...the senseless violence ...can end it reigns...the justice
can finally know peace ...the freedom can be … met one of the future...the one who ….can make a difference the man of white ….the signature ...that can answer prayers.. the man of ...the people….the man like me and you… choose our ...path before we...become one of extinct time is on...our side...pass the baton….pass the stories give the children..the thing we ...once valued….the glorious the beautiful….longful life we’ve ....yearned for
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Artist Bio
A woman from Gary, Indiana who is inspired to change the world. She is a psychology major with a passionate and kind soul. She is ambitious and adventurous. Her compassion for others makes her reliable. She is driven to help people with mental disabilities feel comfortable with themselves as well as others. She is currently a Junior at Tennessee State University. She has begun to start her career path by mentoring former peers with academic and personal goals. Her name is Le’Aysia Thompson.As she continues to further her education she will continue to inspire those around her.
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