Palo Alto High School's News and Features Publication

Verde Magazine

Verde Magazine

Verde Magazine

Letter to the editors: “I can’t breathe” by Wumi Ogunlade

Letter+to+the+editors%3A+I+cant+breathe+by+Wumi+Ogunlade

The following poem was written by Wumi Ogunlade, a senior at Palo Alto High School.

I CAN’T BREATHE

Our black brothers and sisters are being killed for being black

I CAN’T BREATHE

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All I want to do is live

I CAN’T BREATHE

I am being judged not by my actions but by my skin

I CAN’T BREATHE

Black people are being killed for no good reason

I CAN’T BREATHE

I am scared to come out of my house

I CAN’T BREATHE

I might be the next trend for justice of death

I CAN’T BREATHE

My family might be next

I CAN’T BREATHE

My black friends might come next

I CAN’T BREATHE

I have to be careful because I am always guilty before proven guilty

I CAN’T BREATHE

I’m scared for my life and any other black person

I CAN’T BREATHE

There is no justice for us

I CAN’T BREATHE

I’m tired of waiting for a change

I CAN’T BREATHE

I’m tired of being condemned for my skin

I CAN’T BREATHE

My skin is not something I chose

I CAN’T BREATHE

I’m charging to get the damn change my damn self

I CAN’T BREATHE

I wouldn’t stop till I see change

I CAN’T BREATHE

Racism needs to be stopped

I CAN’T BREATHE

Only we together can bring change so get up your ass and do something!

This moment, this instant, this second!

~Wumi Ogunlade

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