Why Can’t You See Me?

I keep telling you that your keeping me from moving ahead, and you don’t seem to comprehend what I am telling you.

Why can’t you see me?

My people are without jobs and their children go hungry at night. We watch tv and see how our people are dressed and I wonder how we can reach success.

Why Can’t you see me?

Every day I come to work and hear you whispering about me to our co-workers. About how I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for affirmative action. But I have been trying to make you see that for years.

Why can’t you see me?

I go to the store and stand in line waiting to pay for my for food in cash while your paying for yours with food stamps. You are talking about me with other people in line, about why am I shopping here. Meanwhile, I have been living in this country over sixty years, all my life. Why can’t you see me?

I went to the service station to get my car fixed and you told me that I was third in line to get my car fixed. I waited patiently for you but after the fifth person and three hours of waiting, I disappeared.

Why can’t you see me?

While standing in the middle of a long line of all white people with my two brothers. People began walking through the line where my brothers and I stood to reach the other side of the room. First one then two, three, four, people start crossing the line only where my brothers and I stood. Until my brother began blocking them.

Why can’t you see me? Why?

Karl P Boyer