Black lives matter 

Black lives matter because people are dead. So many lives lost, so many tears shed.

So much justice unserved. 

Black lives matter because having black skin should not be a deciding factor in whether or not a person should be treated like a person. 

Black lives matter because i’m white and my skin is my shield. Within the miles of empty pigment, the skin on my body screams I CAN’T BE TOUCHED. 

i’m white 

and i’m protected.

Im allowed to wake up and go for a jog. I will not be killed.

Rest in Peace Ahmaud Arbery 

I’m allowed to take out my phone to play some music. I will not be killed by cops.

Rest in Peace Keith Childress 

Im allowed to help my neighbor with his son. I will not be killed by cops.

Rest in Peace Bettie Jones 

I’m allowed to play with a pellet gun. I will not be killed by cops. 

Rest in Peace Tamir Rice 

My tail light goes out and I get pulled over. The gun in my car is registered. I will not be killed by cops. 

Rest in Peace Philando Castile

I’m allowed to sleep in my boyfriend’s house. I will not be killed by cops.

Rest in Peace Breonna Taylor 

I’m allowed to wear a hoodie at night. I will not be killed by cops. 

Rest in Peace Trayvon Martin 

I’m allowed to break up a dispute between a father and son. I will not be killed by cops. 

Rest in Peace Yvette Smith 

I’m allowed to ask for help after a car accident. I will not be killed by cops. 

Rest in Peace Jonathan Ferrell 

I’m allowed to hold a BB gun at walmart in an open carry state. I will not be killed by cops. 

Rest in Peace John Crawford 

I’m allowed to worry about the safety of my daughters while being pulled over. I will not be killed by cops. 

Rest in Peace Manuel Loggins Jr. 

I’m allowed to breathe. 

Rest in Peace Eric Garner

I’m allowed to breathe.

Rest in Peace George Floyd 

I am allowed to exist in the skin I have, even when i see the blood stained badges our precious blue lives wear with pride.

There are miles and miles of black skin we have carved into, deaths we can not reverse. 

why am i allowed to scream about this while their blood is spilt? 

why am i allowed to have a life that’s not a death sentence? 

why am i allowed to live without fear? 

why are so many black lives being lost? 

why aren’t we fixing this? why aren’t we fixing this? why aren’t we fixing this? 

I’m allowed to ask these questions. I will not be killed.