Black boy riding and gliding

BY TED LOCKHART

In Memory of Jordan Davis, 17, and hope for justice in his murder

White man killed a black boy today.

It’s a privilege of white folks for white men

Just have a defending tale ready to say

He aimed a gun or raised a knife-open.

In the White Man’s Privileged Public 

Black boy riding and gliding

His music thumping, his homeys bumping

He stops for who knows what and wakes a crowd

A man of privilege said it was way too loud.

In the White Man’s Privileged Public

O where have you been my brown eyed son?

I’ve been walking on sidewalks

And stepping off them in the White Man’s Public;

I’ve been whistling my tune

And hung for doing so in the White Man’s Public;

I’ve been strolling the highway

And offered a ride only to be dragged to death in the White Man’s Public;.

I’ve been sitting in the back of the bus

And hoping the driver doesn’t claim my seat is in the White Man’s Public;

I’ve been a black man walking

With somebody stalking me in the White Man’s Public.

Oh, what horrors have you seen my darling son?

Oh, where have you now gone my brown eyed son?

Oh, who will save the black boys and girls from this new terror?

Lawd -a-mercy,  a crazy White Man

done killed another black boy today!

Then went on ‘bout his bizness with his girlfriend,

Got hisself a pizza.

Had his fun and nevah looked back, nevah

Like a man of privilege and power

Living the lie

In the White Man’s Privileged Public.