Creative writing by Maria Kopke: Who Protects the Black Man?

Who protects the black man?

Where is this super-hero

With his shiny red cape and perfect hair

Carrying the American Dream on his back?

The black man’s super-hero

Is an invisible man.

He’s a drunken old invisible man

Who promised he’d be there

So the black man put his life on this super-hero’s hands.

Hands up Don’t Shoot I can’t breathe

The black man’s super-hero is out there, somewhere.

He comes late to the crime scene

Where the black man is lying dead.

Who protects the black man?

Where is that TV detective

With his eagle eyes and funny hat,

Bringing all injustice to an end?

The black man’s TV detective

Is a short-sighted man.

“He had a gun in his hand”, he says

Pointing to a skittles bag

And here lies another black man.

Hands up Don’t Shoot I can’t breathe

The black man’s superhero is out there, somewhere, he swears.

But the black man’s faith in men in capes and funny hats

Is wearing thin.

There’s no more time for having dreams

Of super-somethings and American Things.

So, who protects the black man?

Well, who else, if not the black man?