“SAME OLD NEIGHBORHOOD The neighborhood hasn’t changed, But the draperies on the windows have been swept aside. We see you. Telling someone to go back to where they came from, To the place where they had no voice And no choice. That place where they were beaten, Neglected and shamed, Where they never felt safe, Never had a chance. Oh, they’d love to go home, But home isn’t home anymore. The neighborhood hasn’t changed; But the fanfaronade has consequences. We hear you. It’s not just words. It’s not simply freedom. It’s a weapon to harm and destroy. To punish those who aren’t the same. People just like you commit horrific crimes, But you don’t identify them Only with crimes because they mirror you. People just like you hurt you and fight you and hate you, But you don’t see them all as threatening because they are you. The neighborhood hasn’t changed, But many more of us want to live here only in peace. You can make that happen. So many beautiful people I’ve known in my life Were those people you rejected, And they were full of warmth and kindness and wisdom. You don’t see them because they’re not the same. The neighborhood hasn’t changed, And neither has any divine love for all who live here. Like you, we are sacred. All is sacred every moment of every day.” HumanityPeaceCompassionKindnessRacismPrejudiceEqualityDiscriminationOne LoveBlack Lives Matter Author:Kyrian Lyndon