from brutish tongues
they want to change our history
never mind that we
cannot change
history
cannot undo
the horror
the hatred
the bloodshed
never mind that
our history
is not a statue
it’s written
on our
skin
scarring
anyone lacking
whiteness
cis-ness
maleness
never mind that
until we condemn
the wrongs in our past
continuing to exploit
whiteness to obscure
the truth
no one is free
they are trying to start a cultural revolution
never mind that
culture
needs revolution
when it’s radical
to defend
dignity
to demand
equity
to request
acknowledgment
for wrongs
in our past
in our present
in our hearts
on our tongues
but not radical
that our skin
decides our privilege
our access
our humanity
not radical
to honor
partial truths
that elevate few
and harm many
culture
needs revolution
when human lives
cease to matter
on a scale from
light to dark
when facts
become fiction
in the mouth of
our president
when racism is
given a platform
and the oppressed
are handed
equal blame
culture
is revolution
a constant cycle of
education
integration
elevation
an agent of truth
that cannot
be silenced
