American_Minstrel

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Standing down when they never stood up.
Standing down when they never stood up.
Living on their knees has been the motto

for people who slang words, ideas, and
fears across social media pages, claiming
to be American citizens or supporters

of liberation. Lick the boots of state
sanctioned violence, they say. Fold values
inward, exhale the stench of polluted

cherry pies. Jimi Hendrix plays a bluesy
rendition of the Scar Strangle Banner for
receptive audience members, placing

bandages on open wounds, listening with
upside down smiles as they work long hours
for low wages, take prescription meds

to the head to manage chronic diseases,
and adjust their rearview mirrors to clear
the smoke. They allow the bloodshed

to trickle down and burn holes in concrete.
They engage in cosplay, in cosplay. Let
them cosplay until sunlight clocks in. Empire

thrives on inaction and apathy. Stop, stare,
and record, like urban circus performers, 
refusing to get involved. They choose to

post pictures and essays, pictures and essays,
essays, ESSAYS, refusing to dismantle tomorrow.
Standing down when they never stood up.

They choose to stand down because standing
up requires more than ability to react and
tap small keys.

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