I am proud to be white
My two dogs patrol the yard
from side to side
and walk along the wall
with the street
to and fro
as if they at any moment expect
a threat
or armed invasion
and I have moved the mailbox
for the poor postman
to do his duty in safety
and it’s quite clear
that lawful authority
is decaying
and the country is more insane than mad.
Black policemen walk eight
next to each other in a shopping centre
and even when I stand pressed
against a shop’s window
to avoid them
they still bump into me
and when I let them know
that the walkway doesn’t belong to them
with a submachine gun
they turn to me
because I am white
and this intimidation I laugh off
even when I have to
give a statement
for my stolen car
to the gate guard
on the outside of the police station.
So near to a black police state
I have not yet seen
and still for this nonsense I am not afraid
and know my rights and the law
and these people will never know
how much I love my country.
I am proud to be white
and my language, culture, norms, values
and humanity differ so much
that I never
want to be another colour.
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poem by Gert Strydom
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