Excerpt from There Is Sunshine After The Sunshine : With My Hands Up
I have never been
a protester
I have stayed
under the radar
Until today
Today I am the
one with my hands up
Followed around
the store
I have enough money in my wallet to pay the salary of the cashier
following me
I am trying my best to stay in control
Not guilty until proven innocent
I know I haven’t done anything except walked into the store
I realized that I had taken so much for granted
I am the only one in the store that looks like me
I notice that others are walking around the store
No one is being followed
Except…me
I am walking down the aisle when I hear his voice
“Did you find everything that you’re looking for?”
“Well, yes I am quite aware of how to read
I can find my way around a store”
I notice backup is coming down the aisle
“I haven’t done anything except walk in your store”
As my voice goes up because I know my rights
“I know that you’re following me!”
Someone who you are thinking is guilty
Someone who just wanted to get an item for the holidays
While you are busy following me
Having staff zone in on me
There are five people walking out the door with merchandise!
As I protest treatment
“I demand to be treated as an equal
I demand to be treated as a human”
You have called for the local police
They speed to come
Black woman
Educated
Masters
Money
Nothing taken into consideration
You only see me as Black
Sorry that I came into this store
I am standing here with my hands up!
(c) 2018 There Is Sunshine After The Rain
Available at www.patriciaAsaunders.com
Submitted by
Patricia A. Saunders
Blogger, Poet, Author
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