Yet again, in verse, we revisit right wing tactics

though, and I’ll come back to this:

indistinguishable from groomed mental gymnastics,

But have no doubt, some are pretenders,

a straw man army of white supremacy defenders.

So, again, they twist and misrepresent

to stir up anger and make white people resent

this, a most justified call for justice

and deny the movement’s righteousness.

They try to say that or cry of “black lives matter“

means we don’t think white lives have value

A naked lie to foster white anger.

This is the genesis of the refrain “All lives matter”.

I’ll explain why these words are redundant

and therefore why it’s use is an implicit judgement;

A dismissal of our assertion that white supremacy reigns,

A refutation of our heartfelt protest, chants and refrains.

It’s a way for some to simply laugh

at our outrage, mock our hurting hearts

reacting to murder of black women and men

this injustice that happens again, again and again.

As usual they respond with patronising and sceptical chatter,

with dishonest arguments that claim we deny white lives matter;

and tiresome feigned ignorance

that ignores the point entirely;

That, when it comes to the value of white lives,

there’s just no need to remind this society.

Society already knows there is worth to white lives.

Even the, too many, white people poor and deprived

At least enjoy the white privilege of sympathy.

Reserved for white hardship, seen as a tragic anomaly.

Contrast that with the response to black poverty

that sense of inevitability

Which, side note, could be argued to be true

- as a result of, you know, systemic racism,

like we’ve been fucking telling you!

But, course the right give their own reasons to explain it

Often even twisting and turning the truth against blackness .

Feeding on perfect examples of systemic racism like vultures

So they can’t redefine them as a result of a fault in black culture.

This movement comes down to fighting these lies.

we are talking just about the value about black lives

Because is not white peoples

we’ve, countless times, watched die.

correction: be murdered

- at the hands police:

those, so called, keepers of the peace.

But remember, these words don’t always come from racists and liars

“All lives matter” isn’t always, as I’ve described, a false attempt to divide us.

Always leave room for the chance they’ve just been misled

- for which until they meet the truth they shouldn’t be shamed.

So, call out false arguments, as I’ve said.

But also, with open hearts, explain

that there is complicity in repeating it

That though, of course all lives do matter

In this context they must stop saying it.

Though forgivable in ignorance and, clearly, good faith

They still contribute to this lie’s sheen of legitimacy and weight,

They still help it dig it’s hooks into white consciousness

Where it fosters festering division and hate.

I apologise for the delay in finishing this poem. I feel it was important that as a white ally I think very carefully about where my voice is most us fully and appropriate and where it can do the most good.

I decided that talking to other white people was a safe area but I’m happy to take notes on how to be a good ally in my poetry and avoid stepping on the toes of those whose voices are most important to apmlify: those directly affected, the people living black lives I seek to stand by.

I wrote a lot of it a while ago then took some time to reflect on the above mentioned issues I know are important to respect, as we can’t call ourselves ally’s if we don’t listen to black people and help where we are helpful and not where we risk stifling black voices.

please tweet me if you have feedback on the poem or any of these points I’ve mentioned. I’m always open to learning how to be the most effective ally I can be.

I can’t explain it but I just felt viscerally compelled to draw. It’s similar to how I felt an unstoppable urge to paint a portrait of a loved one immediately upon learning of their passing. Understand that I painted this terrible image out of love… — I can’t explain it but I just felt viscerally compelled to draw. It’s similar to how I felt an unstoppable urge to paint a portrait of a loved one immediately upon learning of their passing.
Understand that I painted this terrible image out of love and righteous outrage.

Let me explain what’s wrong with “All Lives Matter” - poem

Yet again, in verse, we revisit right wing tactics

though, and I’ll come back to this:

indistinguishable from groomed mental gymnastics,

But have no doubt, some are pretenders,

a straw man army of white supremacy defenders.

So, again, they twist and misrepresent

to stir up anger and make white people resent

this, a most justified call for justice

and deny the movement’s righteousness.

They try to say that or cry of “black lives matter“

means we don’t think white lives have value

A naked lie to foster white anger.

This is the genesis of the refrain “All lives matter”.

I’ll explain why these words are redundant

and therefore why it’s use is an implicit judgement;

A dismissal of our assertion that white supremacy reigns,

A refutation of our heartfelt protest, chants and refrains.

It’s a way for some to simply laugh

As usual they respond with patronising and sceptical chatter,

with dishonest arguments that claim we deny white lives matter;

and tiresome feigned ignorance

that ignores the point entirely;

That, when it comes to the value of white lives,

there’s just no need to remind this society.

Society already knows there is worth to white lives.

Even the, too many, white people poor and deprived

At least enjoy the white privilege of sympathy.

Reserved for white hardship, seen as a tragic anomaly.

Contrast that with the response to black poverty

that sense of inevitability

Which, side note, could be argued to be true

- as a result of, you know, systemic racism,

like we’ve been fucking telling you!

But, course the right give their own reasons to explain it

Often even twisting and turning the truth against blackness .

Feeding on perfect examples of systemic racism like vultures

So they can’t redefine them as a result of a fault in black culture.

This movement comes down to fighting these lies.

we are talking just about the value about black lives

Because is not white peoples

we’ve, countless times, watched die.

correction: be murdered

- at the hands police:

those, so called, keepers of the peace.

But remember, these words don’t always come from racists and liars

“All lives matter” isn’t always, as I’ve described, a false attempt to divide us.

Always leave room for the chance they’ve just been misled

- for which until they meet the truth they shouldn’t be shamed.

So, call out false arguments, as I’ve said.

But also, with open hearts, explain

that there is complicity in repeating it

That though, of course all lives do matter

In this context they must stop saying it.

Though forgivable in ignorance and, clearly, good faith

They still contribute to this lie’s sheen of legitimacy and weight,

They still help it dig it’s hooks into white consciousness

Where it fosters festering division and hate.

I apologise for the delay in finishing this poem. I feel it was important that as a white ally I think very carefully about where my voice is most us fully and appropriate and where it can do the most good.

I decided that talking to other white people was a safe area but I’m happy to take notes on how to be a good ally in my poetry and avoid stepping on the toes of those whose voices are most important to apmlify: those directly affected, the people living black lives I seek to stand by.

I wrote a lot of it a while ago then took some time to reflect on the above mentioned issues I know are important to respect, as we can’t call ourselves ally’s if we don’t listen to black people and help where we are helpful and not where we risk stifling black voices.

please tweet me if you have feedback on the poem or any of these points I’ve mentioned. I’m always open to learning how to be the most effective ally I can be.

They want you to call for abolition of the Lords. Don’t be their useful idiots.

Thoughts and poems on the Uyghur Genocide.