The tragic murder of New Yorker Timothy Caughman has ripped the scab off the wounds that violence against communities of color have inflicted. Caughman’s death is a reminder of the steep cost of living in a society that places a lesser value on the lives and humanity of Black men.
Political activist and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, once said, “Most people think that shadows follow, precede or surround beings or objects. The truth is that they also surround words, ideas, desires, deeds, impulses and memories.” It further reminds us of the impact divisive rhetoric and prejudice has on the quality of life and psyche of Black America.
Prolific artist and childhood friend of Caughman, Sir Shadow, penned a poem to ease the barriers of hate in the hearts and minds of people everywhere.
IN MEMORY OF
TIMOTHY CAUGHMAN
Color does not attack color.
Hate and prejudice are unnatural,
because you are not BORN WITH IT;
You are BORN INTO IT.
If you hate,
you are carrying someone
else’s hand-me-down
negative state of mind that
you gave birth to
in your new moment of time.
Hating with someone else’s eyes
while you walk around blind.
Talking revolution is the solution.
There can be no solution
in revolution,
Until evolution within begins toward your fellow man.
I warn those who hate
and think negatively,
if you can’t find a
victim to pass it onto,
it will work on you and
the innocent children too.
For they know not what is right.
Stop these senseless lies
that destroy our children’s playful, peaceful, loving nights.
Causing them to hate
and harm and disrespect
those they come in contact with.
Judging others only by the color of their skin and religion,
skipping over the beauty within.
Stop the revolution and
seek the peace within.
You are not up against a man,
You’re up against a state of mind…YOURS!
You are overlooking the problem,
prejudice is like hunger,
It is only looking for an empty mind and stomach to fill.
This is my only reason why this
message is flowing through.
For the children to know their lives a truthful, peaceful flow
deep within their beautiful
universal souls
to help them to positively
live and grow.
No one is above or below,
that’s why the creator
gave us all the same color shadow.
Sir Shadow.com
