ARTS
Sestina for the Looting of the Black Body POEM & PHOTOS BY AV BENFORD
AGAIN
DELORES BENFORD AND KENDALL SIMPSON WATCH "LOOTING" ON 87TH FROM THEIR STOOP ON CALUMET.
SHAWNDEL BROWN IN FRONT OF HER STORE “DREAM CREATIONS,” WHERE SHE HAD BEEN KEEPING WATCH WITH HER FIREARM FOR OVER 24 HOURS.
18 SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY
¬ JUNE 10, 2020
the police killed a Black man. And again Sharpton dressed sharply is making sharp points in a eulogy. Think of it as an act of self-immolation— the dragging of the politic of this Black body— to the town square of the street corner and strip mall. The burning of flesh. The looting of her clothing, and shoes, the ransacking of her adornments, and conveniences. Placate her with leaders whose faces are black, but who mistakenly believe that this time “rage” will be selective in its outburst— that rage will be responsible— that rage will act with respectability. Pelt her flesh with rubber bullets. Bash her head on the sidewalk. Use a no-knock warrant. In service of that Black respectability call her a suspect so that she is executed in her sleep and denied burial. Give statements in solidarity’s eulogy. Drag her by the hair. Call her cause righteous and give lip service to protest. Tell her— her rage must be beneficial. Watch her as she smiles back at you through broken teeth and lip, this body. Tell her to be peaceful when you really mean quiet. With boisterous speeches placate and kneel as the hearse of her contract with this society passes by. And with looting and arson— when she rattles this cage, with baseball bats-- mob up against the rage— throw bricks through windows And drag Black folks from cars, accuse them of looting and pin her kindred to the ground— because there is no true power— only power over this Black body. Tell her to be non-violent when you really mean act with complicity and with respectability. When the banks to her community lend 12 cents for every dollar they lend to white areas, a eulogy for Black homeownership. A eulogy for small business expansion. With grants placate—
AFTERMATH AT FAMILY DOLLAR
"LET IT BURN" (STAR BEAUTY)
REALTOR/ COMMUNITY MEMBER WHITNEY HAMPTON AND HER CLEAN-UP CREW. PICTURED IN FRONT OF SHOE TIME ON COTTAGE GROVE NEAR 86TH.
