This poem was written in support of Black Lives Matter and briefly discusses COVID-19 and the new normal. I wanted to speak about inhumane police brutality in a way that’s easy for kids to understand. After quarantine and the protests are over, people shouldn’t go back to the way things were before. We should continue to support Black Lives Matter in whatever way possible. How you’re involved is up to you; there are many ways for you to help. My poem is a tool for explaining what’s going on in the media to young kids and teens
[Read Related: Indian-Americans, be Vocal in Standing in Solidarity With Black Americans]
The world shattered and everything fell apart
It started with COVID-19 and quarantine life consists of making Tik Tok’s
Wearing a mask became the new normal and 2020 was off to a hell of a start
Kids are mastering “Savage Love” and recreating childhood pics
But when George Floyd was brutally murdered by the police
Some people and companies showed their support; while others showed their true colors
Protests started and the black community has been asking for peace
Unless you’re black no one can imagine the horrors
They’ve experienced long before 2020
It was only now that some communities were reaching out to their black community leaders
We need to do more than this and continue to amplify black stories and support their businesses
Educators need to make sure their students become read books with diverse authors
Start with The Hate U Give and Dear Martin for high school students
You can support organizations like the NAACP, MuslimARC, or Believers Bail Out
We shouldn’t return to normal when COVID-19 and the news cycle moves on
How many lives need to be lost before people fight for injustice regardless of skin color?
Protests are happening everywhere, even in Sri Lanka a country that used to be called Ceylon
2020 will be the year everyone realizes that Black Lives Matter not just today, but forever
[Read Related: Using Poetry as a Tool of Solidarity With Black Lives Matter]
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