If you genuflect enough, they may let you live
but they won't forgive or forget what your grandfather did
or maybe your great-great granddad if anything at all
his white face all the evidence they need
thick with the lynch-mob mentality they so hated
when the mob came for them
social justice translating into getting even
for Imaginary slights even they are uncertain ever happened
and certainly, never happened to them
hatred churned up in colleges by bitter old professors
from previous protest movements
who ache to relive their former glories at your expense
forcing you down onto your knees
demanding you express shame for the skin color
you were born with blaming you for slave ships
one of their ancestors ever sailed on
making you beg for your existence
knowing they won't ever let you forget
what you never did in the first place.
