Dear Indigenous, Black, and LGBTQIA friends,
I have been blind to the pain my race has created,
Injustice and cruelty that we have propagated,
From lands taken to bodies violated.
My ancestors were the privileged ones,
Benefiting from the oppression that they had begun,
But I am here to say that what was done,
Will not be repeated by me, not even for fun.
I am sorry for the atrocities committed,
For lives lost or forever uprooted,
For the deaf ears and closed minds,
For the countless broken binds.
I recognize my role in this massive weight,
And I promise to be a part of the change,
To learn, educate, and proactively create,
A world where injustice has no range.
I see your pain, resistance, and hope,
And, with you, I march for a better world,
In which everyone deserves respect and scope,
And true equality is unfurled.
So, let us walk the path together,
In recognition of the hurt we've wrought,
Acknowledging our mistakes, and, together,
Building a just society that cannot be bought.
I am committed to standing on the right side of history,
With you by my side, and love and unity,
I believe that we can right past wrongs,
And break the chains that have held us so long.
Dear Indigenous, Black, and LGBTQIA friends,
I hope that my apology can begin to make amends.
©jamielong
J