reasons not to protest

those that don’t
have the privilege to protest
confront reasons not to go
because…
…no one cares about us
…I’m scared of losing my job
…my job keeps me from being deported
…we don’t have papers
…my hands tremble at the sound of police sirens
…I will be killed for being trans in that prison
…my disabled body cannot march
…I have brown skin

those who do
have the privilege to protest, also
look for reasons not to go
because…
…it won’t change anything
…I’m not political
…I’m not oppressed
…this doesn’t affect me
…this isn’t my fight
…this isn’t my mode of political expression
…I don’t have the time
…it’s too loud, hot, and crowded

the revolution will not be televised
but this protest will

for those who don’t go
and those who can’t

one fears the discomfort of
confronting this political reality

and the other
lives it