Being dark-skinned in America is like
walking through life in a cage. You still have to go about your daily
business, no matter what. But when you do it, you're always aware of
being reliant on the benevolence of the majority to allow you out of
your cage in every place or situation you encounter. Every, singe
one, in succession, step by step, one day at a time, until the day you
die. They get to decide whether or not your presence will be
tolerated, and whether a law is needed to do it if you get too
uppity. There's always an awareness on your part of those hanging out
on the periphery, watching you, loathing you, and waiting to pounce
on you and anyone else who dares to help you or treat you as an
equal. You're always aware that sometimes you just won't be let out
of the cage, and you have to meekly ask someone to hand you what you
need through the bars, and hope they won't just throw it at you or
taint it in some way first. And you're aware that some of them regard
you as a dangerous animal in that cage. Sometimes, you start to feel
like one, and they know it. They sense it. And that's why they keep
you in the cage.
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