A Letter to Michael Brown

Ose+Arheghan

Ose Arheghan

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

As a child you recite this anthem every day, but I am no longer sure that these words hold any meaning at all.

I am growing up in a nation where people are scared to walk down a street because of prejudice towards skin color.

I am growing up in a nation where you have to explain to children why we must fight for equality.

I am growing up in a nation where at 14 years old, I am judged by my skin color before a word comes out of my mouth.

I am growing up in a nation where 60 years ago, at 14 years old, Emmett Till was lynched for supposedly flirting with a white girl.

I am growing up in a nation where 60 years later, my mother has to tell Till’s story to my brothers before they leave the house and pray they come back home alive.

I am growing up in a nation where liberty and justice for all was not written for black skin.

While I am proud to be an American, I am scared to be a black American, and to Michael Brown, who probably grew up reciting the same pledge in a classroom somewhat like mine, I am sorry.

Your liberty and justice were somehow lost, but we are fighting to find it.

 

 

Comment using your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL or Hotmail account

comments