VJs Weekly challenge – Privilege
“The police make me as a white woman feel safe, while my black friends, family and neighbours feel the opposite.” Natalie Portman.
Whiteousness Blue and red like a vapour flashes off the windows all around me, siren squeals a warning and I pull over to the side, my routine, rehearsed so often, plays out in tension real, window down, no sudden moves, papers and cards out, both hands on the wheel so he can see there's no threat, sweating now, anxious, is my misdemeanour worth my life, will I bleed for colour today to make this man feel righteous? Do I fit the profile, do I look like someone he needs, wants, to shoot? Don't stare, sound soft, polite, don't be black, ingratiate, just make it easy on his ego, right or wrong, his mood determines my future, Right or wrong, his privilege is my death. ©Paul Vincent Cannon
parallax 
Frightenly powerful,, and a scenario that’s all too true… Well executed Paul 🤔😳
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Thank you so much Ivor, very much appreciated. 🙂
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So true, so sad. Things must change and soon. I believe this may be the time, unfortunately at the cost of George Floyd’s life.
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I always struggle with that – change comes by death, why not by life? Yes, hoping all this energy translates to change. Seeing little edges of change.
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Wow. I love the word Whiteousness.
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Yes, not mine, though I wrote it – but when I searched there it was already out there! Thank you so much Ruth.
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I flutter my misty eyes. Grief grips my soul afresh. Touching words.
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Thank you for connecting and sharing how it spoke, so appreciate your comment.
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Powerful portrait. The title says it all.
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Thank you VJ for sharing the way it connected, strong words indeed.
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So welcome, Paul
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So true, but sad.
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Yes, that is it really, if only it weren’t so.
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Powerfully-written, Paul. Very well said. I envy poets. You’re able to say in a poem what it took me 2,000 words to say in my blog on Monday. I love the word “whiteousness” and the way you worked in the word “misdemeanor.”
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Thank you so much Janet. That word – I wrote it then I searched it and yes it has been out there for a while (who knew?) but it fitted for me so well. I am honoured by your comments, very much appreciated indeed.
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Wow powerful poem well said
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Thank you for sharing that, from the heart and the pain.
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I was moved by your gut-wrenching poem. I felt for the speaker. But when I tired to put myself in his place, I couldn’t do it, which is most telling of all.
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Yes, I based it on stories. Though in my reckless yet thrilling youth, I was often in trouble and I had two bad interactions with police where my trust was broken and has remained so. So it did connect a bit for me. I think that’s what a lot of us white people are beginning to acknowledge – it is alien for us. Thank you for your honest response Liz.
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A really great one, Paul! So true and also so sad. Michael
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Thank you Michael, yes, so sad
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A sensitive reflection Paul. Heartfelt!❤️☕️☕️❤️!
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Many thanks 🙂
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My pleasure!
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you’ve captured the essence … but the poem I shared on “Silence is Violence” is even more powerful!
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Many thanks Kate.
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Thank you VJ
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You’ve captured the times well, Paul. Very strong stuff you’ve written.
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Thank you Susi, yes, the times are challenging me.
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You’re welcome. I understand.
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