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Politics and Activism

Yesterday I Had the Blues, But Today...

A poem about how we really feel about racism in our systems

Jessica Bordelon

Dec 19, 2016

New Orleans

Jessica Mishael Bordelon

Yesterday I had the blues

Like ravens harassing me from trees
telling me dark vows of Nevermore
When I felt the distant loss of Kings and X’s
Blue blood flowing out in tears over my skin
remembering the momentum loss as
the engines of the Movement were demolished

Yesterday I had the blues
as I read Northrup’s story & learned it was buried
inside shadows of the forest just steps from
my childhood home
Yesterday I had the blues thinking back on
past transgressions and suffering but

Today I’m just mad as hell
cause the books painted over the part where
the oil leak of HATE continued seeping
and randomly bubbles popped up like BP blobs
in the Gulf
deaths of Mike Brown, Trayvon, Garner,
Missouri, Carolina, Florida,
and 14 in Meridian Mississippi

They sprayed that Civil Rights Act over our surface
to make the crude drop below visible levels
but it’s still oozing its poisons
mutating and spreading a cancerous foam
we see remnants in history books
and testaments in court proceedings that send
teachers away for 20 years
and police who murder free to smother life along
the coast of our society
Beaches lure you closer, false freedom, fake security

Yesterday I had the blues,
but today… I’m mad as Hell
(TO BE CONTINUED)

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Yesterday I Had the Blues, But Today...

A poem about how we really feel about racism in our systems

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There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.

2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.

3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.

4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.

5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.

6. Their nap time is your happy time.

7. Lunch time can be a disaster.

8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.

9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.

10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.

11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance

2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise

3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”

4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”

5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks

6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name

7. When someone famous or fictional character shares your name, you get so happy

8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”

9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life

10. When you find another person with an “ethnic” sounding name, you both get excited

11. Despite the struggles, your name is pretty unique… just like you

Can I be excused for the rest of my life?

Don't Be That Person

1. “Oh, so you/your family are immigrants!”

2. “Is Puerto Rico near Mexico?”

3. “Do you speak Puerto Rican?”

4. “You look too light/dark to be Puerto Rican.”

5. “Do I need my passport to go to Puerto Rico?”

6. “Geez, you are obsessed with your flag. We get it, you’re Puerto Rican.”

7. “Why are you so loud?”

8. “So does your family know English?”

9. “Oh my god, Puerto Ricans are so spicy.”

10. “So did you eat a lot of tacos?”

11. “Are you Mexican?”

Love hard, every day, and never be ashamed.

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