with a foot on their neck
or a knife in their back
or a gun in their face
or a chain on their feet
can anyone breathe
who cannot be taught to read
who cannot congregate in groups
who receive inferior healthcare
and who die in the streets
can anyone breathe
who earns less than their peers
or must live only where they are allowed
and cannot marry who they please
and thrown crumbs to eat?
can anyone breathe
when the government fails
and the men are in jails
and when chaos prevails
and the president tweets
but new breath is coming
new air in our lungs
a country suffocated by its own hatred
gasping and dying
is now on life support
building walls around itself
when the real poison is in its own veins.
can anyone breathe?
In the words of the greatest president of our lives…yes we can.
This Divabetic podcast is in solidarity with and dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice. We are making time to reflect, share our feelings, listen and identify ways in which to fight for real and meaningful change. Guests include Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Keith Anthony Fluitt, Leisa Chester Weir, and Jeff James.
Please consider donating to these organizations:
Campaign Zero, which is dedicated to ending police brutality in America through research-based strategies. LEARN MORE
Color of Change, which works to move decision makers in corporations and government to be more responsive to racial disparities. LEARN MORE
Equal Justice Initiative, which provides legal services to people who have been wrongly convicted, denied a fair trial, or abused in state jails and prisons. LEARN MORE