A message to academia....
By Kishonna L Gray, PhD

Dear white professor
I am one of your students
I want to talk about Ferguson 
Do you have a few moments? 

This entire semester
We’ve been waiting and hoping
Waiting for the moment
For the discussion to open

To talk about the reality
That black people exist
But by your avoidance
IT’s a  topic you resist

This issue is more 
Than just black and white
From what you’ve taught me
It’s a lot of people’s plights

But here in this moment
It is they who suffer
but because of your privilege
You dare not utter

The words.  The reality
The suffering.  The pain
Of bullets being riddled
Black bodies being slain

Regardless of your position
No matter your stance
We must take the time
Open your eyes and glance

Yes I’m privileged
I don’t have to look
But ignoring serves no purpose 
These live are being took

By a system that’s flawed
Blemished by design
Rooted in the history
Hanging from the pines

These are things you taught us
We learned them everyday
History is repeating itself
Sociology hit replay

The movement is no different
Criminology can’t you see
You’re replicating a pattern
That’s not woven for me

Communications you’re not neutral
Neither are you fair and balanced
Your reporters are in the field
Protesters they are silenced

Cultural studies thank you
For being at the front of the fight
But it’s gonna take more, you see
For us to take back the night

Communities are gripped with fear
Businesses thay can manage
The protesters have a point to make
When property is being damaged
 
In our capitalist society
Goods are worth more than life
People are more up in arms
Without Christmas tree lights

I recognize my privilege. 
You taught me all about it. 
Do you live what you teach? 
Or is it time to recommit

Remember why you’re here
I’m starting to feel diminished
You have a responsibility to teach me
Your job maybe you should relinquish

They said hands up. 
I said don’t shoot. 
You took that as a threat
We’re not dangerous to you. 

It was an act of resistance
Of solidarity, unity, and peace. 
For all my brothers and sisters
White allies please increase

​SHE GRADUATED
BY KISHONNA L GRAY
 
Mama I made it
Yeah I graduated
This feeling that I feel has got me so elated
The degree is conferred
The biggest lesson I learned?
Wasn’t in the classroom
So no grade could I earn
The point and objective is that the
Dream is deferred
Progress deterred
Because when we fight and we’re not heard
We have to yearn
For a system that is better
Wrote the note a long time ago
There is no loan that can repay this debtor
I don’t have no major
What you think I was trying to fake it
Nah ma, I wasn’t even supposed to make it
Let the stats show that me in this body
Are more likely to raped or Harassed b/c I’m naughty
Let them tell it
You sent me here to avoid that shit in the street
Thought I would meet
Some sweet co-ed and bring him home to greet
Mama you see the report?
Yeah the retweet
The court of Public opinion is the jury I have to beat
Constantly questioned.
Constantly denied.
Not being believed because of some man’s lies
 
But mama I learned more
I probably should have never told
What happened to me next
Would burn your soul
 
You know what else
I learned that because of my gender
I’m not valued as a true member
Of this patriarchal society
That would rather have me be
Forced on my back than to give me any kind of equality
Put me on my back that’s what he did
But because I didn’t fight back…
They couldn’t get rid
Of that reasonable doubt that maybe she did
Enough to lead him on
I did say no but that wasn’t enough
There should have been some bruises or marks
Something more to show
Because it was my fault
Yeah I went to that party
Yeah I had that drink
And the rules of society would have you think
In his eyes that shot was my consent
I should not have spent
Any more moments with him
 I would have never dreamt
 
The experiences of one but let the real numbers show
In reality let the truth be told
Progress will come but with a hefty toll
The price on my body my mind and my soul
Having to endure the trauma
Of a system that cares less for our daughters sistas and mamas
 
But I guess I shouldn’t be mad
No matter how long we’ve waited
Yeah I guess I’m proud.
Look mama
I graduated
 

       
Marked bodies
Marked since birth
Marked with beauty       
Marked with a curse
 
Marked cuz we’re black
Marked cuz we’re poor
Marked cuz our society
Always wants more
 
America the beautiful
America the marred
America the dream
America the scarred
 
They live to want it
We die to flaunt it
Worship it so much
They put God’s face on it
                                                                    
Dying for them Nikes
Dying for that check
Dying cuz we’re fattening
The White man’s check
 
 Keeping us in check
Keeping us in control
Sell the illusion of the vote
The Ballot and the poll
 
Money dropping like rain
Falling on our scars
Lashes from the profits
Pain in these bars
 
Poverty defines us
Wealth reminds us
That our worth is only rooted
In the bling that surrounds us
 
So when it rains and it pours
Remember that thirst
Cuz their sole intent
Is to send my brothers to the hearse
 
They are marking us for something
Marking us for nothing
Selling false dreams
But my brothers they are Kings
 
 My sisters they are queens
Created with Love
Designed for peace
Sent from above