The "New" Black Genocide: a poem
By Elizabeth Duplessy
COVID-19 has been weaponized against black people - a new form of genocide by an old mentality. We all want peace, but first.....justice.
Black bodies, black bodies, black bodies everywhere.
From the floor to the ceiling, over here and over there.
Started from ships on the high seas
to swinging high up from poplar trees.
Born and raised for organ donation,
saving the lives of everyone in every nation.
Poked and prodded since dragged in chains,
used and abused until a shell remained.
Evil continues to up the ante –
Created a virus – the devil – so crafty.
It chokes the lungs and alters the cells,
destroying the body and making the mind unwell.
They tell us not to make a fuss
when we want to know why this weapon targets us.
“It’s your smoking and diabetes” they explain.
Ha! They try to kill us, yet we are to blame.
The leaders tell us ‘you’ve been home for too long!
Git’ back out there – your body is strong.
Make us some money – earn your due.
Git’ your nails done and your hair did too.’
‘We need your black body to fight this war,
our precious whites – we cannot deplore.
Physical distancing seems the temporary cure,
but not for you folks, you must make our economy secure.’
I say, you must feel proud at what you’ve accomplished,
doing the devil’s work to tarnish and demolish.
For centuries, you’ve used this very tactic –
causing pandemonium by creating a pandemic.
But that’s not how the story ends;
the One who rose again calls us His friends.
We will live with Jesus in eternity
in perfect peace and fraternity.
For our light and momentary troubles
will achieve an eternal glory more than doubled.
Our eyes are on Jesus as we seek his face,
so in the end we will hear, “My child, you ran a good race.”
By: the reporter
About the Artist
Elizabeth Duplessy
Born on Earth, dwells in the Spirit.
Elizabeth Duplessy is a writer, blogger, and creative. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College.
Elizabeth is passionate about social justice and uses her blog The Liz Report, to shine a light on racial issues that affect black people. Through her writing, she is committed to bringing awareness of both injustices and possible opportunities to promote transformational changes. Elizabeth has worked as an operations professional for students in underserved communities. She recently earned a certificate in operations and management for green building professionals that centers on high performance and sustainability construction.
She loves fashion and shows her creativity through her personal style and professional work.