Chandler
Conflicts of an Activist
Updated: Jan 24, 2020
As an activist,
I often wonder
if I am too radical for the world
but not radical enough for my people
I see my people hurting
But I know I can make a change
So I lay out onto the world
All of that which needs to be arranged
I turn my gaze to the media
To try and create new views
I have my plan laid out ahead
I’ve done my research, paid my dues
I know that if I am too forthright
Or if I am unfriendly
If I am to cause too much affright
Or if I don’t approach them gently
I know for sure I’ll risk it all
There’s no telling what they’ll do
I’m paranoid that I’ll misstep
And I’ll cause us all to lose
People often want to be coddled
They want to pretend problems don’t exist
I worry if I coddle them too much
I’ll be too much an Assimilationist
But I want to keep on fighting
I want to help set my people free
Why is it so fucking hard then
To get the world to listen to me?
Wait, I’m sorry!
I swear I’ll take it back!
I’ll play nice this time, I mean it!
I promise this isn’t an attack!
The truth is sometimes I just get
So incredibly tired from the coddling
Holding hands and sucking thumbs
I’m exhausted from the dawdling
Yet I know honestly deep down
I’m not allowed to rush them
I have to move slow and lovingly
So it’s not me that they condemn
I don’t want to just fit in with the top
And risk losing my solidarity
I don’t want my people to think I’ve left them
Gone, forgotten who I’m meant to be
My people, I haven’t forgotten you
I haven’t left you in the dust
I’ve been by your side this entire time
I don’t want to lose your trust
Justice is not a one route road
I know that now, I swear!
I can humor both sides’ needs
Without either side thinking I don’t care
I want to make a proper difference
A positive contribution
It’s okay that there are different steps
To arrive at the revolution!