When They Silence Us
by Shajuana Henry
When they silence us
the only sounds you will hear
the only sounds you will hear
Who were never presumed innocent
Just pronounced guilty
The prosecution used our brothers as target practice.
Aimed for their maleness
Shot for their blackness
Tactics historically used to covertly attack them
They call this a miscarriage of justice
and this happens when they silence us.
When they see us as savages
When they perceive us as suspects
The subtext speaks for itself
and it says that we lose all say in our own stories
when they try to break down wise men like Korey, Kevin, Yusef, Antron, and Raymond
But we must say their names to break the silence.
We must say their names to remain defiant,
Dispelling the myth that all black men are violent
11 Comments
Twelve28
Powerful words. Please keep posting Shajuana’s content!!!
Brittany Zelaya
I absolutely love her poetry . I’ve been supporting since the very first time I met her . Much love 🤞🏽
Zekiiyah
This is such a beautiful poem about the troubling history of our Black men. “The subtext speaks for itself and it says that we lose all say in our stories”. This is my favorite line! Great job, Sis!
Mahdi
This is one of many reputable and relatable installments by my sis. One of the standout lines to me was “The prosecution used our brothers as target practice” because in the historical practice under the justice system of this country , us as black people have been nothing but targets that they must continue practicing their aim on so that they remain sharp in executing.
Continue supporting her work, Peace
Emily Mercedes Castro
“WE MUST SAY THEIR NAME TO REMAIN DEFIANT” this part spoke to me. It is our job to hold stories like that of Korey, Kevin, Yusef, Antron, and Raymond to remind people of our reality in this country.
@_thearaw
“Dispelling the myth that all black men are violent”… Powerful ✊🏾 Always Rise Above Weakness. Great job !!!
Christiny
Say their names to break the silence!!! So so true! Wonderful work, keep the powerful words coming!!!
esther
“the prosecution used our brothers as target practice
aimed for their maleness
shot for their blackness”
i appreciate shajauna’s use of imagery here. the rhythm also got me (i’ve read this part of the poem over a few times 😂💛)
Carmen
“Aimed for their maleness/ Shot for their blackness/ Tactics historically used to covertly attack them/ They call this a miscarriage of justice/ and this happens when they silence us.” WOW. Shajuana has a way with words, that’s truly eloquent and powerful. Thank you for this powerful piece and I look forward to reading your future projects.
Aminataempanada
“When they try to break down wise men like Korey, Kevin, Yusuf, Antron and Raymond”
Love this poem because it’s an extension of the story told and the ones never told. Saying the exonerated five’s names is so important to humanizing those vilified.
Thanks for doing it again Shajuana
Nadia
“Who were never presumed innocent “ The self fulfilling prophecy !