"Voices silenced "

"Voices silenced "

IN the depths of humanity's soul, a wound festers and bleeds,

 A canvas of skin, where colors are brutally seized,

The brushstrokes of prejudice, paint a picture so vile,

A masterpiece of hate, that reduces beauty to a trial.

In India's streets, the dark-skinned bride is shunned and ashamed,

Her beauty, ignored, her worth, forever claimed,

The wedding ads scream, "Fair and lovely, a perfect mate,"

 A heartless mantra, that perpetuates the hate.

In America's streets, the echoes of slavery still remain,

 The systemic racism, a toxic legacy that sustains,

The Trayvon Martins, the George Floyds, the countless more,

 Victims of a system, that discriminates to the core.

In Africa's markets, the bleaching creams, a deadly deceit,

 A poisonous potion, that destroys, and repeats,

The self-hatred seeps, like a malignant disease,

 A legacy of colonialism, a wound that won't cease.

We can weave a new tapestry, with threads of love and light,

 A canvas of equality, where colors blend in sight,

 We can paint a new picture, with brushstrokes of kindness and care,

 And celebrate the diversity, that makes us uniquely fair.

In India's streets, we can challenge the fair skin creed

 And celebrate the beauty, of every skin tone's deed,

 In America's streets, we can stand with those who've been oppressed,

 And demand justice for the Trayvon Martins, and the George Floyds, repressed,

In Africa's markets, we can reject the bleaching creams,

And celebrate the beauty, of every skin tone's dreams,

In the face of injustice, we remain still,

Silent witnesses to the struggles of others' will.

Racism, a plague that has haunted humanity's past,

Continues to thrive, fueled by our collective indifference at last.

From Ferguson's streets to Delhi's alleys wide,

 Racism rears its ugly head, leaving destruction inside.

Yet, we remain silent, our voices muffled by fear,

 Our actions paralyzed by the weight of our own biases, year by year.

But silence is not an option, we must rise above,

 Our voices loud and clear, a call to endless love.

 We must stand in solidarity with those who suffer and bleed,

 And demand that their rights be respected, and their dignity freed.

So what can we do? We can start by educating our minds,

About the histories and struggles of marginalized communities left behind.

 We can listen to their stories, and amplify their voices loud,

Support organizations that combat racism, and advocate for policies proud.

We can challenge our own biases, and assumptions we hold dear,

Create inclusive spaces that welcome diversity, year by year.

Engage in difficult conversations, confront our own privilege and might,

 Use our positions of power to uplift and empower, day and night.

The struggle against racism is not someone else's fight,

It's our collective responsibility, as human beings in this light.

 We must recognize that racism is not just a problem of the past,

 But a present-day reality that requires our immediate attention, at last.

So let us break the silence, rise up against racism's might,

Use our voices, actions, and collective power, to create a world that's just and bright.

A world where everyone can live with dignity and respect, Regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background, we must inspect.

Let us strive for a world that's free from racism's chains,

Where equality and justice reign, and love forever sustains.

We can make a difference, we can be the change, Let us rise up, and rearrange.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ~Laxmi Verma