Silent No More

Something happened this week.

The earth shook and the foundations of our nation roared.

The voice of the people is rising up again, like an unceasing tsunami demanding justice.

Justice for all the injustices inflicted upon the backs of our brothers and sisters.

Something happened this week.

One more brutal death taped for all to see the truth carelessly buried and reburied for centuries.

Secrets.

Lies.

Cover-ups.

Hate.

Murder.

Racism.

Against the very brothers and sisters whose backs this nation was built upon.

Our nation must come to its knees.

We must lay prostrate in repentance for the blood, tears, sweat, and skin our participation through silence has inflicted upon our brothers and sisters of color.

Anger and rage are spilling over the pile of dead bodies murdered without due justice.

Anger and rage are spilling over the pile of lives destroyed by being prosecuted and convicted without evidence.

Anger and rage are spilling over the pile of families ripped apart by false accusations.

Anger and rage are spilling over the pile of minds fearful of what may happen to them if they make one wrong move.

Anger and rage are spilling over the pile of police brutality met with no consequences.

Anger and rage are spilling over the pile of silent agony of uncertainty.

Anger and rage are spilling over the pile of weariness over being judged because of skin color.

Anger and rage are spilling over the pile of being perpetually lied to.

Anger and rage are spilling over the centuries of lynchings.

Anger and rage are spilling over the pile of cries met with silence.

Something happened this week.

As I blamed the nation, the church, the police, the systematic racial profiling, A deeply disturbing moan arose within my own soul...

I have remained silent.

I must fall to my knees and face Truth.

The foundations of this nation will crumble beneath me

if I do not admit the horrors of the past

if I do not sink to my knees and remember

if I continue to choose to look away and remain silent

if I choose not to feel the shaking of the rage in the earth

if I ignore the roaring sound of the cries for justice and mercy.

Something happened this week.

I must be silent no more.

* Photo Credit Eric Ward from Unsplash *