What Is It They Want To Kill In Us? Poem by Yehualashet Teshome

What is it that they hate and fear in us?
Big powerful black people
Strong in body and spirit
Taken down and humiliated
Brutally murdered
Shouting "I can't breathe"
With the cameras rolling
What is it they fear and hate?
What is it they want to suppress and kill in us?
Is it the spirit of blackness?
The fire within that cannot be extinguished
When I look into the mirror
I see blackness alive
Beautiful and refreshing
The melanin that enlightens and empowers
Flowing all over the body
I cherish the spirit of blackness
The power within
No matter what they say
The whole black world can't breathe
Chocked to death economically
Our development crippled, arrested
Our resources looted bare
But this nation will rise, one day
I don't cry for the dead
They keep the fire of greatness alive
We know
We are unique, alive and beautiful
This black awareness cannot be choked or suppressed
It will rise higher and higher
With every cruel murder
Let us wear our blackness in dignity
Let us cherish the power within
No matter what happens
I hail those who stand with us
White, brown and yellow
They see the evil as it is
It is no more a question of colour