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Chapter 52 - Chapter 51. "Why?"

Hey there, Kid.

Hey, Folks.

How have you all been?

Well, I hope.

I have been just as well as I can be.

The Universe seems to work on its own accord, you know?

I am set to move soon.

Where and what part of the city will I end up in?

I have no idea, but we will see, yeah?

As long as I am with my significant other and our little family, I suppose I will be alright.

I suppose that gives YOU a greater chance to be born, you know?

Hmm.

Only time can and will tell.

I am patient.

I really am.

For you?

Anything.

I will let you all get to the good stuff, lol.

See you soon enough, yeah?

Enjoy.

(Flips several dozen switches on the dashboard of the Slappery-Slappish-Slappington 3000 while wondering why and how all of these exist in the first place...there are simply far too many gash-darn switches! I AM TIRED OF ALL OF THESE MOTHER FU!---)

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June 8th, 2020.

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Dear You.

Racial inequality...

It's crazy...

Scary.

Sad...

Why do us Black people have to fight so hard just to be treated equal?

Why do we have to beg and fight to not be killed?

Why?

Why is life so much harder for us Black Folk?

I hope your world is better than this 2020 world...

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(CKING SWITCHES ON THIS!---Wha? What was I saying? Never mind. Aaaand we are back!)

Hmm.

This is quite the topic, Kid.

I don't even know where to start.

2020 was an ugly year for our kind, Kid.

Us Black Folk.

But we can't move forward while looking back, can we?

You can, but things will be considerably harder, you know?

All any of us can do -regardless of our color, creed, or sexual orientation- is try to learn from our mistakes, and be the best versions of ourselves that we can be.

Morality is a strange thing.

As a child, I would steal small things from stores.

Snacks, typically.

Small toys, if and when I felt particularly brave, but not very often.

I knew better.

I felt like Robin Hood, and that tiny fantasy made it a bit less real and a bit more justifiable to my young mind.

I knew that it was wrong, and even though I grew up in poverty, I never NEEDED to go steal things in order to get by.

My family simply couldn't afford MORE than what we needed.

Even when I was dropped into the foster care system.

It was still theft.

Even when the foster home didn't feed me.

It was still theft.

Even when Milwaukee Public Schools refused to give me breakfast or lunch because I didn't have "lunch credits" or $1.50/$2.00 required to obtain the meal.

It was still theft.

With that being said, imagine the child who really did need that snack that Young me had stolen.

The toy even.

Imagine a child whose family could hardly afford to pay the bills that keep the water, heat, and electricity on, let alone the rent itself.

Imagine a scenario where both of us happen to be stealing at the same time, and a Security Guard happens to spot us and apprehend us both.

Would that guard be wrong to let the other kid go once he saw that the kid's clothes were tattered or dirty, and that I was just taking the snack because I wanted it?

Would his theft be less wrong due to him needing the food versus me just wanting it?

How should the situation be judged differently based on the circumstances of either person?

Hmm.

Humanity is strange.

Fickle.

Wary.

We are afraid of strangers, yet seek to make friends and find lovers.

I don't have all of the answers, nor will I pretend to.

-As to the age-old question: "Why is life so much harder for us Black Folk?"

I wish I had an answer that would and could sate that question in some substantial way, you know?

Who am I to speak on such a massive topic?

Yes, I am Black, but I was given an extremely hard time for the majority of my childhood for simply not being "Black enough".

I've never been considered "Black enough" to fit in with the Black Folk that inhabit most of the environments about me, and I am sure that it was/is due to the way that I talk and carry myself.

I like cloaks, wide-rimmed hats, button-ups, and satchels covered in pins. My nails are typically painted black, and several extra pockets and pouches hang from my hips via straps and belts.

I am perpetually in a bowtie.

I probably come off as quite strange and intimidating to the average person, so I am very aware of the fact that I am often perceived publicly as anything but Black, or at least MIXED, lol.

I couldn't care less.

I am proud of my skin and my culture, but I don't move through the world and through my life with any real thought to it unless it is brought to my attention.

We are all human, you know?

I wish more people would forget about everything else and just tend to that fact.

Mayhap the world would be a bit of a better place.

People need people, Kid.

Remember that.

I hope that one day racism is eradicated, you know?

A boy can dream.

Mayhap you will come into this world and spread a bit more love.

A boy can dream even further.

I love you, Kid.

You all as well, Folks.

Happy Turkey Day, and I hope that you and your families are faring well in these hard times.

Me?

I am at work, lbvs!

I can't afford to take time off, lol.

I will be okay!

Mayhap I'll get lucky, and someone will bring me a plate of food!

Again, a boy can dream just a bit longer!

Lol.

Have a good day/night, Kid.

You as well, Folks.

I love all of you, and I will see you all back here soon enough!

Safe travels, yeah?

And as always:

Stay safe.

Stay healthy.

Stay vigilant.

-Bluu.

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