RACIAL TENSION

Spewed out of the mouth,

the N-Word bounced into the ears of my peers,

whose Black skin appeared to burn hot with anger….

 

The Sergeant’s reckless words became a wrecking ball,

confirming the existence of racism,

spoken without any fear of danger.

 

This stranger,

whose subliminal messages

masked in humor masked the truth, that to her,

we are nothing more than ”Niggers”.

 

Recalled dirty looks from faces of disgust,

committees of whispers as her back turned away from them,

shocked expressions as her boldness exposed her secret,

also exposed a harmful subculture.

 

Sadly witnessed feverish attempts to sweep this indiscretion

under the rug,

a community fused to taint the facts,

replaced facts to preserve her status and cover her bad acts,

no accountability with no cure.

 

How short are the memories of my younger brothers,

too self-absorbed to feel insulted,

holding no hurt as they spout off the same word she did,

no awareness for the brothers sacrificing favor to attack this injustice,

almost like it never happened….

 

Reflecting upon my struggle makes me reflect upon those

hung from trees,

beaten senselessly, buried in unknown graves,

lives only a memory.

Dr. King’s dream deferred, but strangely,

more White people are angry….

Makes me wonder…Why aren’t we?

This poem is a reflection of the ”N-Word” being used by a correctional officer towards Black men in Redgranite Correctional Institution on January 2, 2022. I am calling for a moratorium to the use of the N-Word altogether, no matter the race or the excuse for its usage. I am also asking for diversity training for our correctional staff in Wisconsin prison, because it has been obvious for some time now that many staff appear to be ”racially tone deaf”. I believe this issue needs to be addressed finally, and personal accountability and respect for this community as a whole needs to be on someone’s agenda. This requires us all, staff, inmate, and community, and dialogue is the only way to break the stereotypes that facilitate racism.

Marshall Jones is a 40 year old man on a lifelong journey of bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God. The author of "A Raven's Meal" (RoseDog Books), a poetry collection, he aspires to target the grey areas, and the people who are terribly misunderstood by society. Believing that everyone deserves a voice, he not only shares his testimony, but he also tries to use his gifting to share other people's experiences as well. He writes from the prison system that has housed his body for 18 years, but also from the place that has been the catalyst to his freedom. Click on the YouTube Link below for his Book. or go to https://www.redthreadpoets.com/published-works/