Prejudice
We’ve prejudices so endemic that we hardly know they’re there
So subtly they manifest in choices that we daily make
They underlie our attitudes, our judgements, what and how we care
We drink them with our mother’s milk; our social norms are our intake
Beware the stranger in your midst who’s strangeness lights your prejudice
Resist those movements happening that pressure your discomfort zone
Your intellect may reason yes but your emotions still resist
You find some flimsy rationale to stay with what you’ve always known
But in a mixed society where different cultures make their way
Where prejudicial attitudes oppress some peoples singled out
As culturally inferior, it’s evident in what we say
And what we do subconsciously that such oppression comes about
Some say that we have benefited unaware from prejudice
That somehow gross discrimination aimed at others as persists
Improved our opportunities; made life more privileged, they insist
It’s true, those cultures not oppressed presume how normal they exist
Review the practice of red lining done so prices would not fall
If there were not such prejudices lining red would not take place
And properties would still maintain their market values fair for all
We benefit when we’re not so discriminated in our place
It’s hard, but that’s the task before us, rooting out those deep beliefs
That label others as inferior people who are different
And meanwhile we can legislate: discrimination as a crime
When based on baseless prejudices. Now’s the time; it is the time
6/14/20
Thanks for this post. Working together, we can make it happen. #Blacklivesmatter