[From the author of “Poems by Kolki-
Absolutely Humane” & “Real Path To 9/11”]
Just
Being Black
(Dedicated
to athlete Demetrius DuBose, 28,
gunned down by San Diego Police in cold blood on July 24, 1999 – and all
victims of extra-judicial
killings around the world - Deepak Sarkar, www.kolki.com)
<Related
Poems: Harmony WAR A Day of Non-Violence Stranger
Democratic Security Better
World>
Hi,
I am (late) Demetrius
DuBose!
It
was summer of 1999 in
The
football season was just picking momentum!
I was spending time with my folks -
Before
taking off for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!
As I was leisurely driving down the
It brought back many memories of good
old days -
Including
my play at the Notre Dame!
Suddenly, I saw flickering police
lights from behind!
With
high beam focused, urging me to stop by road side!
I looked at my odometer reading!
No!
I was not speeding!
Is
my license plate expired?
No,
it is valid till next year!!
I
stopped anyway and waited for the surprise.
Two police officers approached me!
And
asked for my license and registration rudely!
I
acted promptly, as I was enjoying favorite music merrily!
They ordered me to come out of the
car!
‘Anything
wrong Officer?’, I asked!
Come out of the car, ‘mother F-word’,
‘Nigger’!
Or
we will blow your head like a fire cracker!
Scared,
slowly I stepped out of my car.
They
ordered me to lie down with hands on my back!
As
they were getting ready to hand cuff me -
I
asked again, ‘Why? What did I do?’
‘You
can explain that to court’, they yelled!
I was completely taken aback -
And
didn’t know what to do!
Then
I got very angry as I felt insulted -
And
urged them to let me go!
They drew their firearms pointing to me!
As
I was shivering in a terrible fear breathing heavily!
Then I raised my hands extended
forward
Urging
them to hand cuff me politely -
While
trying to explain who I was!
Suddenly, I heard many loud booms!
And a quick feeling of missing body
parts!
As
blood was oozing out from my body!!
I
tried to shout, but, couldn’t say anything!
All I saw a rapid rewinding of my life
events -
Ending
in sleep at my mother’s lap with pains!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
My
brothers, sisters and citizens of the world –
I
am Demetrius DuBose of
They
killed me! They killed me in cold blood!
As
if they were practicing shooting live objects.
They
do it every day!
They
do it in every city, throughout
They
did it because I was black!
They
do it because we are black!
They
do it because they know they can get by!
They cook many stories in their media as
they yawn -
Just
because I was black!!
Written
Aug. 3rd, 1999
About Kolki ☼Kolki Peace Foundation☼
Why Kolki?
Author: Deepak Sarkar, 844
Royal Oak Ave, Victoria, BC V8X 3T2, Canada; Tel/Fax: 250-412-2897;
E-Mail: Deepak.Sarkar@ieee.org; Poetry &
Peace Web Site: www.kolki.com
Sayings
of Kolki
Truth
GLOBAL ISSUES
Once
for all we must ask ourselves what made human the only animal who enjoys killing and destructing their own kind as well! Kolki