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
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