Page 57 - Poems by Alyson Malach - Childhood to Adulthood

Speak up, reflect, speak out.

Lockdown has been tough; it’s shone a light on life.

It caused some of us to reflect on the troubles and the strife.

It opened up the dialogue on racism in the UK.

It told the oppression stories of Black people today.

We read reports of poor treatment of Black people by the NHS.

We heard about racism in universi�es, of students and staff distress.

We read of racism in schools, experienced by Black boys and girls,

that only 3% of children’s books include Black children of the world.

We heard the cries of Black Lives Mater protesters across our streets.

And heard the privileged shout All Lives Matter in an attempt to defeat.

Defeat the BLM groups who stood up to raise their plight.
To try to dismiss their pain, lived experiences and their fight.

I have suffered from all the nasty words.

I con�nue to suffer whilst my story goes unheard.

I won’t stop speaking up though, you won’t see me back down.

I’ll speak up for Black women, children and families as long as I’m around.

Alyson Malach

March 28, 2021

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