What Pace???

Commentator Charles Blow asked a very potent question last week on a panel led by Anderson Cooper following the Trayvon Martin decision. "What do I tell my son? What pace is safe for him, as a black man, to walk?
Mr. Blow's question weighed heavy on my heart, this poem came from that weighty uncertainty.

What Pace?   

                            

What is the pace that a Black Man should walk

in order not to seem a threat?

Strolling on a tightrope across the racial Niagara Falls  

Carefully displaying the measure of his soul…

Black fathers pass their history along,

Survival skills must be taught…

Be careful my sons,

Be careful to pace just right.

Don’t run too fast…

You might lose your life.

Don’t walk too slow…

You might frighten others.

Don’t skip…                                                                                

Skipping is too playful.

Something might be wrong with that.

You’ll be suspect!

“Why?”  The sons reply

Because you are born Black,

For reasons we do not understand,

Your beautiful, Black, God given skin frightens the White man.

Don’t let them know how smart you are,

You’ll be called ‘uppity’,

And you might not get a job.

If you are slow to do something you will be ‘lazy’.

If you react too fast, you’ll be called ‘crazy’.

Over educated…  Under educated…

Any excuse will be just right

When it is uttered by the Right White.

So my son, to save your life,

…. Pace Yourself…

Copyright 2013 by Elaine T. Jones

  www.elainetjones.com