A Postcard to the World: Black People Are Not Apes

by Thomas Beckwith

Image credit: Steven Jones on Unsplash

We, the Black people, are not apes. We are part of the human race.

The pigment of our skin should not matter, but it does for so many, even for the people

who say they’re colorblind or see no color. There is no way to be neutral when people

are being characterized as apes.

Black Lives Matter echoes loudly, and it is a constant reminder that we must prove

our worth and dispel lies with a sign we shouldn’t have to hold.

It isn’t enough for us to carry the burden and never get a day off due to our skin color.

Senseless killing of so many who had dreams is only part of the story.

Even with recognizing Juneteenth, we are not free to be ourselves

as a human, race, or culture. We are still suffering from the past. 

The ghosts emerge from the field and shadows, although our history books

are being sanitized and deep-cleaned like splattered doo-doo sticking to a toilet seat.

Our ancestors were slaughtered, some shot, others lynched and hanged—

There were even ones who were set on fire.

Many of their remains are unfound and unidentifiable in makeshift graves.

As much as it is believed that we are unkempt, untamed, unlettered, and unmanageable,

the world is a place where we should be able to explore and choose our own adventure.

                        But we are judged like we live in a jungle,

even if we are educated and become a curator, preacher, teacher, or even

                                    the President of the United States.

We, too, are allowed to make mistakes.

We, too, are allowed to have dreams.

The truth is, we are not starring in a live version of Planet of the Apes.

We are a part of the human race.

***

Thomas Beckwith

Thomas Beckwith is an Assistant Director for the University of Florida’s Office of Academic Support, where he provides support to students including academic coaching, leadership development, and holistic success planning. He also enjoys writing in his authentic voice, finding it to be a therapeutic way to process experiences and overcome past trauma.