Sam Hose (1875-1899) Poem by sydney conteh

Sam Hose.
Black man.
killed because the colour of his skin was an execution notice.
People thought his nappy hair was a weapon of mass destruction.
His pain was slow, chased all over the state of Georgia.
It's funny how the slave trade ended a long time ago, but black people still run from white skin.
Funny how black skin still makes songs to ease our pain.
We call therapy.
I say funny, more like tragic.
Because black skin is magic.
Black skin gave the world rock music, soul music, jazz, and hip hop.
Black skin made the first drum, thank you Malian empire.
Black skin made the first light bulb, thank you, Lewis Howard Latimer.
We are magic, but instead of magic shows, we get news bulletins.
No wonder some young black boys and girls
struggle to see their magic.

Sam Hose did not die recently, he died in 1899.
Tortured and lynched
The method of death has changed.
Substitute a gun for a lynching.
Substitute police brutality for a whipping.
Black skin is still an execution notice.
Eric Garner (1990-2017)
Sean Rigg (1968-2008)
Philando Castile (1984-2016)
Olaseni Lewis (1987-2010)
They are just like Sam Hose.
I am sad, angry, and tired of this.
I could talk about racism in the educational system.
I could talk about racism in the workplace.

But this poem may never end.
Not enough words can describe the anguish of black skin.
This poem is a start.
A reminder that we do not forget Sam Hose.
and all the black lives that have followed him to the grave.