Truth Remains the First Casualty in the War on Drugs

| #031 | EXPRESSION > lyric > | 28 lines |

My focus as a counselor is to unpack the sociopolitical conditions behind many of our clients' reporting problems. To let them be empowered by balancing their internal with some necessary external changes.

This may involve speaking truth to power. Which in turn provides those in power with vital impact information. They need to know how their privileged actions may further disprivilege others

Into this gap I offer myself value as a bridge. And seek to express that need for value in this original lyric, and to honor black history month.

That First Casualty in the War on Drugs

There’s a war on POC some cops call thugs.

It’s euphemistically called the war on drugs.

Or it’s sometimes called the war on crime.

It’s been legalized racism for quite some time.

Every black person is an instant suspect.

Cops get them to react when given disrespect.

Then see how they’ll protest when put to the test.

Then claim these blacks were resisting arrest.

These blacks already are wary of the violence

of being under endless police surveillance.

To question all this undue attention they get

is then somehow interpreted as a threat.

Such cops expect these blacks to simply act white.

To not express themselves or question police might.

To simply submit and not put up any fight.

To take it up with the judge as their presumed right.

These blacks know well what could happen next.

Exercising their rights can become a legal pretext

for the court to add charges or to the sentencing.

So even the innocent are coerced to take a plea.

They won’t see a judge, as you might’ve predicted,

before the prosecutor has them already convicted.

They know the system and are ready to take a stance.

So questioning the cop is worth a chance.

Taking this initial stance can be simple to choose

when you’re black and left with little to lose.

There’s a war on POC with a million already locked up.

If it isn’t racist then it’s definitely corrupt.

- Steph Turner

Copyright 2014 Jen Durr Press. Use freely except commercially.

So what do you think? Agree? Or disagree? Feel free to comment.