For my creative project, I wanted to talk two issues that have bothered me quite a bit in the recent years. I wrote two short poems, something I had never done before (so bear with me), because I thought it would’ve been the best way that I can express my feelings.
For my first poem, I wrote about police brutality towards young minority males, and the treatment they receive especially when wearing specific clothing (in this case, hoodies).
Though the night,
Through the day,
Our hooded angels come out to play.
Put down your fears,
Prevent our dismay
Please, don’t take our babies away.
For my second poem, I wrote about a specific incident. In 2014, 43 male students in Mexico were traveling in buses to Mexico City as part of an annual protest to honor the victims of the 1968 Tlatelolco Massacre. During their route, they were arrested by police in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. After their arrest, no one heard from them again. They went missing, and the police had no answers to their whereabouts. It was believed the police handed the students over to a crime syndicate from Guerrero and were tortured and murdered. Months later, body parts of some of the students were found. After investigation, it was concluded that the bodies were in fact burned, tortured, and dismembered.
Year after year,
We mourn the lives that were lost
Since 1968, We have fought for the cause.
We meant no harm,
We came in peace
Until we were stopped
By Mexican police.
Now we our lost
to our homes we’ll not return
Because we were taken, tortured, then burned.
I wrote about these two issues because it highlights the significant amount of police brutality that not only happens in the United States, but in other parts of the world, too. I hope this poem and other mediums that have given these topics attention serve as a wake up call for authorities everywhere.