WE CAN'T BREATHE

A swelling anger

A feeling of helplessness

I want to scream

I see them

In their riot gear

They push people away

They beat them with clubs

Light, fire, it flies at crowds

Students

They fight for their ideal world

They hold together

As adrenaline, 
Testosterone, 
And power runs them over

With their gas masks

With their metal stars

Their macho mustaches

And condescending smirks

MOVE!!!

MOVE!!!

MOVE!!!

They attack the crowds of angry idealists

They’re angry

Yes, they’re angry

Because a young black kid

Shouldn’t have to be afraid

Of accidentally walking 

Into one of the people 

That are supposed to be protecting him

Because a teacher should never have to break

The news of a student gone

And his classmates’ innocence with it

Because a mother

Should never have to be put

In the position to be thankful

That her children did not inherit

Her beautiful dark skin

She should not have

To cry herself to sleep

Over the pain, the guilt, the anger, 

At the sense of relief

MOVE!!!

MOVE!!!

MOVE!!!

They’re White

They’re Asian

They're Latino

They’re Black

Equal opportunity assholery

They attack

WHO DO YOU PROTECT?

They protect no one

WHO DO YOU PROTECT?

They attack the people

That they’re sworn to protect

Equal opportunity military response

Against those who dare ask questions

Light, fire, it flies at the crowds

Gas

It chokes

WE CAN’T BREATHE!!!

WE CAN’T BREATHE!!!

Your system is choking them

WE CAN’T BREATHE!!!

WE CAN’T BREATHE!!!

Your system robs us all of breath

Of life

Of liberty

WE CAN’T BREATHE!!!

WE CAN’T BREATHE!!!

Within this system.

Well,…

FUCK YOUR SYSTEM.

We are not helpless. 
We stand together.
The world is watching. 

-Marisol Tena

December 9th, 2014