Sometimes my friends complain about getting

pulled over for speeding.

They laugh about getting their third ticket and how

they have community service this week and the next.

Then there's the lucky ones that could've gotten a ticket but

the cop was "cool."

I'm thinking would that "cool" cop try to

pull out his gun if it were me?

Would my melanin become a sign saying

"shoot please"

and would I become another hashtag?

I'm terrified.

What started out as a speeding ticket ended up being

an execution slip.

When he told me,

"License and registration,"

It was a set up.

I learned not to reach for anything.

I learned not to be belligerent.

I learned that being complacent wasn't an option either. So,

“No sir!”

My life is worth more

than what your badge must think of me.

My life is worth so much more

than the 5 over I was going.

Understand,

I know all cops aren't bad

and you risk your lives everyday.

Now, replace “cops” with “black people.”

All black people aren't bad.

We risk our lives everyday just

walking the streets

or selling CDs,

or reaching for that ID

that you so desperately want to see so here you go.

By the way,

Mr. Policeman,

Mr. Officer,

Mr. Hero,

you're supposed to have my back.

I know it's all red, white and blue, but...

what about my Black?