They ask why

Why do you care about racism? You’re white.
they say
Why are you bothered by antisemitism? You’re not a Jew.
they ask
Why do you speak up for the immigrants, the minorities, the poor?
You’re a citizen, you’ve not known hate, you’ve not known need.
they ponder

I am not straight; I know what hate feels like.
i could respond
Jews weren’t the only ones marched into those gas chambers.
i could say
I am a human being, capable of empathy.
i could answer

But the only real answer to these questions is another question:
“Why don’t you?”

© Jennifer L. Davis (under the pseudonym Meadhbh Dhommnail), 2017. All rights reserved.