74 seconds

by Ashlie Rodriguez

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Trigger Warning: Police Brutality, Racism

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Hands up!

Don’t shoot! My daughter’s in the back!

Sure, Judge, is how it went down.

But if I hadn’t fired then, he would’ve surely fired back!

 

Yes, he told me he had a gun —  

That’s why I thought he was reaching for it!

And okay, so he looked like someone else.

I guess that nose must’ve fooled me!

 

Judge, can I really be blamed?

I’m sure you’d agree when I say

all hoodlums tend to look the same.

 

But don’t you worry, because I swear —

I’ll never do it again.

I think I’ve learned my lesson:

Never, ever kill a Black man while his family is present …

 

And recording.

 

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