Jay Johnson - musician.
“My personal experience of racism leads me to the description that it’s a level of understanding which permeates through every experience I have.”
“I would say racism is a symptom of the disease, which is the social construct of whiteness. A social construct we tap into whenever we express any positive human trait, and only the positive aspects of said trait. Examples in my case include my ‘articulate’ way of speaking and ‘polite’ demeanour. Of course some are able to tap into this social construct by their mere existence…but that is also not the case for many, resulting in the caste-based society we see today, where some members are continually required to prove themselves.”
Preconceptions
It was early in the morning
the day clearly was still dawning
I was fairly busy yawning at the view
she rolled over on my chest
she moved closer then she pressed
her lips lower, on my neck and then she flew
I was so glad we were a team
I thought this had to be a dream
wanted to go back to sleep and rest my head
but before I could close my eyes
she came back and froze the skies
for a moment life was still and then she said
she said I’m so black she said I’m so beautiful
but I’m just wondering which she noticed first
told her I am trapped she thought I was delusional
but why are preconceptions of me always the worst
Loneliness is a knife that’s been in my back all my life
and no matter how much I strive to pull it out
it feels like it’s too deep when the night falls I cannot sleep
I use pillows just for my tears and quiet shouts
I know I’m not a saint but these colours we seem to paint
have done nothing for me but taint my self-esteem
it is a mental virus, am I conscious of my bias?
now I don’t only feel lifeless in my dreams