Thursday, December 04, 2014

I can breathe
I can breathe because
Although I'm terrified whenever I see a blue uniform,  I pass easily as white,  so chances are,  their attentions are elsewhere.
I can breathe because if I do get stopped for any number of reasons,  chances are,  I'll go home after little more than a desk appearance.
I can breathe because 
Although I am trans,  queer,  poor,  disabled,  of mixed non-European  heritages, pierced,  tatooed etc., in this country,  even after a civil war, Selma, Dr. King,  Malcolm X, and countless others who fought for dignity and equality, my skin tone alone, an accident of birth,  still grants me greater privelege. 
I can breathe because
I am not Eric Garner,  Michael Brown,  Trayvon Martin, Tarika Wilson,  Tamir Rice,  Yvette Smith,  etc.  etc.  etc.  etc. 
I can still breathe
Until however,  my siblings are safe
I will not breathe free. 
I will not breathe free.