Poem from Vigil Against Violence

Last week, several Edgewater community members gathered with 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman, the pastoral staff at North Shore Baptist Church, and a few other ECRA faith leaders for a Vigil Against Violence. One of the E.C.T. Youth Group members wrote a heart-felt poem for this vigil:

“Abnormal Reality”

By Jamyla Johnson, 12th grader

E.C.T. Youth Group Member

We’re protected by blue sheep

Who critique

We’re protected by blue sheep

That have no respect for people like me

17 years of life, I’ve been afraid

Afraid of being looked at a certain way

Afraid of the things I might say

Not just because I’m a young woman that’s black

I can’t even go outside without being looked at

Whether it’s because of the way I dress

Oh wait, let me guess

The shining of my chocolate brown complexion

Should I feel like I’m less than…

I’m supposed to feel protected

Yet I can’t stop thinking that my life may be threatened

Through every little step we take

We just can’t get a damn break

Almost every day, our brothers and sisters and siblings are dying

It may be hard but WE will never stop trying

Trying to fight the wrongs

Standing up for where we belong

Fighting for ALL minorities

Cause nobody deserves to be treated so horribly

Justice will come and it will be served

Rest assure that, I can confirm

We’re supposed to be protected

So make it happen