2020 hit differently for a number of standout reasons. For me personally it was a year of great loss and a full beam being shone on the struggles of being Black whilst breathing.

A 20/20 VISION

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A little while back I wrote about being tired

But that description has long since expired

Tired no longer fits the bill

Let me try to explain if you will

♦

To those taking issue with the words Black Lives Matter

And the, “It’s all political!,” chitter and chatter

Having an issue with taking the knee

Or a powerful dance performed by Diversity

Disgust at adverts with Black families

Or in general, too many Black faces on their tv’s

♦

Or a necklace with the initials B.L.M

Causing outrage a little hard to comprehend

Folk can find time to moan and complain

As if we’re all out here just playing some game

They’ll tell us we don’t deserve sympathy

Because crimes and statistics is all they can see

♦

Allow me to give you a little clarity

If politics is all that you choose to see

There may be things you don’t like about the organisation

I hear you, and understand your frustration

But the focus should be on Black Lives Matter – the movement

And how we’re constantly striving for improvement

♦

There are way too many unnecessary failures

Too many George Floyds, Sarah Reeds and Breanna Taylors

Too many concerned over the placement of a statue 

With negative statements to throw at you

Why should I waste my time trying to explain

When you clearly don’t want to register our pain?

♦

If you’re not interested that’s all good with me

I’m not about begging and I’ll leave you be

I really have no time for those bigots

The likes of Jim Davidson and Laurence Fox

Who, granted, are entitled to their opinions and views

But don’t have a clue what it’s like to walk in our shoes

♦

Every colour and creed commit crimes on the street

But if it’s a Black face they don’t miss a beat

In pointing the finger and calling us out

But if it’s a White face, there’s always room for doubt

And heaven forbid we speak up or speak out

They’ll seriously question what we’re talking about

♦

It honestly is a real travesty

That a lot of naysayers really can’t see

When they say we should be grateful

And it’s all ok

Because we’re less racist here in the UK

There’s a huge piece of the picture that you miss

And really and truly, it’s more than a diss

♦

Addressing the ‘All Lives Matter’ crew

And the ‘Blue Lives Matter’ too

For the latter here’s somewhere to begin

They can take off their uniform

WE CAN’T TAKE OFF OUR SKIN!

As for all lives mattering, that goes without saying

But the comparison needs to take some weighing

♦

The past few months have given much insight

Between those who truly understand our plight

And those who have had enough, and are over it

And would love nothing more than for us to quit

Wondering how much longer we intend to go on

Whinging, whining and singing the same old song?

♦

But in the midst of all of the chanting and crying

And every which way my people keep trying

Black people are dying at an alarming rate

At the hands of people fuelled by hate

Happy to deny us the right to live

All whilst sitting comfortably in their privilege 

♦

Band us together and label us BAME

With little recognition that we’re not all the same

No sympathy for Grenfell or the Windrush generation

No time for unity, or the rise of one nation

We can all be different but still live as one

It’s not impossible, it can be done

I have no idea what the future will be

But I’ll try not to give up hope, that one day they’ll see

♦

So take in the words I’ve written above

The lack of understanding, empathy and love

Now can you see why I’m way past tired?

Exhausted’s the word that is now required

But to my brothas and sis-stars

Try not to let it get you down

Put your head up and hold on to your crown

♦

Whenever it seems there’s no ending in sight

As Bob Marley said, DON’T GIVE UP THE FIGHT!