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November 04, 2024

Mezzo-soprano 0pera star Shirley Verrett makes her New York City Opera debut in 1958.

Eric Garner: A Poem

POSTED: December 05, 2014, 11:00 am

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If you see me walking down the street,

Don't walk on by. Stop and frisk. And

Then some. Even to the point from which

I can't come back. C'mon. 'Cause it's

Your right, right? After all, I'm not privy

To the rights of this land, all this falderal

'Bout equal treatment under the law. All

This talk of content of character. We don't

Need a thing except your good judgment

And my always timid acceptance. And

Even then, when your baton/taser/gun

And surefire sense of profiling are all

In my face, I'll acquiesce, even though

We both know it won't be enough. 'Cause

You're too busy protecting and serving

The place where I live (and you don't)

To give me the benefit, even when there

Was nothing about me to ever, ever doubt.


Gavin Sutton is a graduate of Jackson State University, a native of New Orleans and our resident Griot.

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