Subject
I wrote this poem inspired by ‘Letter to the Free’ by Common and filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s Netflix documentary 13th. It’s essentially a rewrite(ish) of the song from a UK perspective.
Also, this originates from umpteen stories around race and Coronavirus in the UK and overseas — from police encounters to disproportionate deaths of Black and brown medical staff and more.
Britain sees, British streets we live on
Easter gathering, Easter celebrations
this is what Coronavirus has undone
swaying with the rope listening to our loved ones cry
pride of politicians affecting the lives of 10k
herd immunity’s built from colonial minds of slave days
genocide’s more than massacres in Morant Bay
you can’t blame us for the actions of Downing Street
seeing foreign Corona scenes, №10 dragged its feet
I sit in self-isolation and wishing well the NHS teams
hoping it doesn’t become overwhelmed at virus’ peak
as wards are filled up with parents and children
the National Health Service is more than just buildings
over-represented by the Black-brown bodies filling them
media doesn’t write us as human beings
as I see crime scenes, will the UK ever be okay
while our keyworkers try to keep Coronavirus at bay
today I see Black men arrested shopping for their mothers
just basics for their families and younger brothers
police stop and search like it’s business as usual
folks just want essentials like shelf pharmaceuticals
Priti’s police policies are ideologies of control
institutional power, a shadow hand to hold
this is just one inequality that affects all of us
a Great British moment, no thanks to the Coronavirus
as death tolls rise, multiracial Britain speaks out
meanwhile Corona sceptics sit in shadows of doubt
blood of diversity nothing more than ticking KPIs
fatality statistics sending the nation cross-eyed
folks say we’re Britain free of whips and chains
but instead of subjects we collect them all as BAME
the religious amongst us may light a candle
as Britain’s death toll should be a national scandal
great land of greatness, incarcerated pride
blood of empire, colonies and centuries of lies
racism is industry, UK likes to pick and mix
like with the Windrush, deported, funding injustice
fear, suffering, hostile environment politics
now Britain’s staring into the abyss again
the same abyss that will make Britain great again
no justice for diverse Britain dehumanised
just this, media’s not on the right side of Black lives
these were all issues before all this fuss
only to be exasperated by Coronavirus.
“For the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house. They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change.” — Audra Lorde
