But, YOU Need to Be Perfect…
Sit while I pick out your afro.
But, Jack never combs his hair for school.
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Boy
Come study.
But Johnny is outside playing and I want to play outside too.
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Boy
Put your best suit on we are going to church.
But Kevin wears jeans to church.
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Boy
Stay close to me while we shop, don’t stray.
But that little boy is running around.
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Boy
Hands out of your pockets.
But Alex always has his hands in his pockets.
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Boy
Smile when you pass people.
But I’m not always happy.
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Teenager
Don’t be too loud.
But Jimmy always talks really loud.
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Teenager
Do not drive with your hoodie up, do not have your music too loud while driving, do not go over the speed limit, always use your signal, check your rear lights to make sure none are blown out, sit up straight while driving
But what if I forget all of the rules?
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Teenager
You’re going into University straight out of high school.
But George is taking a year off.
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Teenager
You need to make straight As in University, graduate at the top of your class
But that’s a lot of pressure.
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Man
Don’t be alone with any white women, ever.
But there are a lot of white women in university and I cant always avoid that.
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Man
You need to start applying for jobs, use your middle name, use your friends address on your resume.
But Jamie used his first name and Jamie lives two doors down from us. (Gottingen St vs Novalea Dr)
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Man
You need to cut your afro; you have an interview this week.
But, Joey has a man bun and he got hired.
But, YOU need to be perfect, you’re a Black Man
Knowledge is Power…
I got the job.
Pay attention to everything that everyone does at your workplace.
But I was hired at entry level.
Yes, but you will own your own business and this job is just an educational opportunity.
Knowledge is Power, you’re a Black Man
I got my first paycheck.
Save your money, you don’t need expensive things.
But I can afford to buy expensive things now.
Yes, but you will own your own house and those savings will be your down payment.
Knowledge is Power, you’re a Black Man
How can I make more money, this job is not enough.
Then attain assets, invest, have multiple streams of income, research, be creative, learn from others.
But that’s a lot of work and time.
Yes, but you will have a family one day and you need to build generational wealth for your family.
Knowledge is Power, you’re a Black Man
I’m moving out of the community.
Give back to your community, no matter where you live, be a leader.
But the community has great leaders already.
Yes, leadership comes in many ways, hire from your community, recommend someone for the “job”, contribute to the financial growth of your community, donate to causes that support your community, be a voice, don’t leave and not look back to where you came from.
Knowledge is Power, you’re a Black Man
Yes You Did…
I graduated university at the top of my class, I did it
Yes you did
I started my own business, I did it
Yes you did
I bought my own house, I did it
Yes you did
I starting my own family, I did it
Yes you did
I gave back to my community, I did it
Yes you did
But also remember, being perfect can’t save your Black Life if a racist decides to take it…be careful son, be careful…
USA…
I had a bag of skittles, ice tea and my hood up and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Trayvon Martin – 2012
I was suffering a mental health crisis and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Tanisha Anderson – 2014
I was 12 years old, playing with a toy gun in the park and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Tamir Rice – 2014
I went for a walk with a friend and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Michael Brown – 2014
I sold loose cigarettes outside of a convenience store and I was murdered,
a racist killed me -Eric Garner – 2014
I had a mental health crisis and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Janisha Fonville – 2015
I was arrested and put in back of a police van and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Freddie Gray – 2015
I was stopped for a traffic violation and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Sandra Bland – 2015
I had a mental health crisis and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Janisha Fonvilled – 2015
I had a defective light on his car and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Walter Scott – 2015
I was selling CDs and DVDs and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Alton Sterling – 2016
I was stopped for a traffic violation and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Philando Castille – 2016
I was home on my sofa eating ice cream and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Botham Jean – 2018
I was standing in my grandmother’s backyard and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Stephon Clark – 2018
My front door was left open, I was home with my 8 year old nephew and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Atatiana Jefferson – 2019
I was home sleeping and was murdered,
a racist killed me – Breonna Taylor – 2020
I went for a jog and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Ahmaud Arbery- 2020
I was accused of using a counterfeit 20 dollar bill and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – George Floyd – 2020
I was walking home from the store with an iced tea for my cousin and I was murdered,
a racist killed me -Elijah McClain – 2020
Oh Canada…
I was suffering a mental health crisis and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Nicholas Gibbs – 2018
I was arrested for a traffic violation and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Olando Brown – 2018
I was suffering a mental health crisis and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Jaskamal Singh Lail – 2018
I was suffering a mental health crisis and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Greg Ritchie – 2019
I was in police custody and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Sean Thompson – 2019
I was suffering a mental health crisis and I was murdered,
a racist killed me -Machur Madut – 2019
I was in police custody and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Sean Thompson – 2019
I was suffering a mental health crisis and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Regis Korchinski–Paquet – 2020
I walked out my front door and I was murdered,
a racist killed me -Jason Collins – 2020
I was accused of a robbery at a liquor store and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Eishia Husdon – 2020
I was suffering a mental health crisis and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – D’Andre Campbell -2020
I was home, they were sent to do a wellness check on me and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Chantel Moore – 2020
I had a mental health crisis and I was murdered,
a racist killed me – Rodney Levi – 2020
WHO DID I MISS?
Story, Name,Date.
Post the info in the comments section and I will update this list with your posts.
Black Lives, Indigenous Lives.
Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
~ Sherry Anne Crowe