Kimberly Cross transforms her emotions of passion, confusion, and anger regarding the current racial climate into a series of brilliant poems. She addresses that there is not only one, but two diseases plaguing the nation: both COVID-19 and racism in “The Disease”, tells about experiences living in America from a black person’s perspective, and confronts the unfairness of the government and law enforcement in “Dear Justice System”.
Dear Justice System
By Kimberly Cross
Dear Justice system, Why do you treat my people like this? Like we are lesser than the average person. Why do you keep spreading these lies, When you know he was just an innocent guy? Dear Justice system, Why do you hate us and the color of our skin? Will a black man ever get the chance to win? Or will he forever be seen as a target? A suspect? A threat? Or a criminal? Dear Justice System, Why do you continue to turn a blind eye? Towards my people that are dead because of your guys The ones that are suppose to serve and protect But instead takes the life of someone by standing on their neck Dear Justice System, Why are letting everything my people fought for go down the drain? Don’t you understand our pain? Don’t you think we are tired? Of getting shot, killed and fired? Dear Justice System, Why?
Being Black In America
By Kimberly Cross
Where do I even begin? We are constantly murdered, terrorized and targeted just because of our skin. they make our lives twice as hard, then use the ‘i'm not racist’ card. being black in america means forever being on your toes, watching and seeing another innocent black life as it goes. being black in america means wondering if you will be the next victim and have the police say it was self defense why i killed him. being black in america means never feeling truly safe. it is a sickening reality. but for right now, that’s just the case.
The Disease
By Kimberly Cross
a disease that has taken over our nation for it, there’s no cure or medication it kills innocent black men and women without any care or hesitation it from past yet it still remains do you know it’s name? a disease that has taken over our nation even the doctors are helpless in this situation and even after countless years, it still evident in our generation But, why are the police in participation? The disease has taken over our nation. the target will never the caucasian but instead a black man just because of the color of his hand racism is its name with it comes hatred, violence & pain Why is it so hard for equality to reign? as i look to the future, i stop to think Will our fighting go in vain? Will this disease remain?
Kimberly Cross
Writer, poet
Kimberly Cross is a 16-year-old Jamaican who currently a student at the East Orange High School in New Jersey.
She’s a very passionate advocate for the Black Lives Matter Movement and racial equality. She uses her poetry and speeches as acts of activism and protesting from home. In the future, Kimberly plans to major in either Biology, Biochemistry or Political Science in hopes to make a difference and fix many of the global issues that exist today. In her free time, however, she enjoys Youtube, Tiktok, and also music. She’s honored and excited to be apart of the junior team at Zenerations and to be able to share her work and interact with such phenomenal and brilliant young people!
ZENERATIONS 