WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.930 align:middle line:90% 00:00:00.930 --> 00:00:07.350 align:middle line:84% I'll close with a sampling from a piece by Teré Fowler-Chapman. 00:00:07.350 --> 00:00:11.130 align:middle line:84% "My only advice to him is to remember everything. 00:00:11.130 --> 00:00:14.160 align:middle line:84% Remember the way your palms wrapped behind your back 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:18.220 align:middle line:84% and didn't know how to pray backwards. 00:00:18.220 --> 00:00:19.710 align:middle line:90% Remember the officer's name. 00:00:19.710 --> 00:00:22.710 align:middle line:84% Remember the way they talked through. 00:00:22.710 --> 00:00:26.970 align:middle line:84% Remember when you said it was your first time being arrested 00:00:26.970 --> 00:00:29.190 align:middle line:90% and he responded, really. 00:00:29.190 --> 00:00:32.400 align:middle line:84% Remember the first poem you shot to the sky. 00:00:32.400 --> 00:00:34.380 align:middle line:84% Remember the blood rushing in your veins. 00:00:34.380 --> 00:00:36.330 align:middle line:90% Remember the moment you cried. 00:00:36.330 --> 00:00:37.950 align:middle line:84% Remember the first time you thought 00:00:37.950 --> 00:00:40.290 align:middle line:90% about being a better man. 00:00:40.290 --> 00:00:43.620 align:middle line:84% Remember the man you are already. 00:00:43.620 --> 00:00:46.050 align:middle line:84% Remember the way he questioned the white clerk 00:00:46.050 --> 00:00:49.290 align:middle line:84% when they declined pressing charges on you. 00:00:49.290 --> 00:00:52.440 align:middle line:84% Remember it was just a pack of gum. 00:00:52.440 --> 00:00:54.120 align:middle line:84% Remember you are full of forgiveness 00:00:54.120 --> 00:00:56.230 align:middle line:90% and deserve it back. 00:00:56.230 --> 00:00:59.640 align:middle line:84% Remember you love and deserve it back. 00:00:59.640 --> 00:01:03.460 align:middle line:84% Remember it was just gum and just like that. 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:05.190 align:middle line:90% Remember it's your city. 00:01:05.190 --> 00:01:07.738 align:middle line:84% But it's not your justice system. 00:01:07.738 --> 00:01:09.780 align:middle line:84% Remember you will fit the description whether you 00:01:09.780 --> 00:01:12.750 align:middle line:90% pick the gum up or not-- 00:01:12.750 --> 00:01:16.050 align:middle line:90% whether you did it or not. 00:01:16.050 --> 00:01:19.560 align:middle line:90% Remember you are guilty or not. 00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:21.450 align:middle line:84% Remember folks are being murdered these days 00:01:21.450 --> 00:01:24.810 align:middle line:84% with purchased Skittles in their hands 00:01:24.810 --> 00:01:29.310 align:middle line:84% in the middle of middle class in the middle of morning. 00:01:29.310 --> 00:01:31.770 align:middle line:84% Remember they will criminalize you. 00:01:31.770 --> 00:01:34.620 align:middle line:84% Remember they will demoralize you. 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:36.630 align:middle line:84% Remember there's nothing cool about filling 00:01:36.630 --> 00:01:38.940 align:middle line:90% the bed they made for you. 00:01:38.940 --> 00:01:41.850 align:middle line:90% Remember to make your own bed. 00:01:41.850 --> 00:01:44.550 align:middle line:84% Remember the way you are rapped about, 00:01:44.550 --> 00:01:49.500 align:middle line:84% the way you are televised, the way you are publicized. 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:51.810 align:middle line:84% Remember the definition of fitting in 00:01:51.810 --> 00:01:54.335 align:middle line:90% was born out of standing out. 00:01:54.335 --> 00:01:55.710 align:middle line:84% Remember to write your own story. 00:01:55.710 --> 00:01:59.010 align:middle line:84% Remember that you are a man afraid of fucking up. 00:01:59.010 --> 00:02:01.410 align:middle line:84% Remember that's when it happens-- 00:02:01.410 --> 00:02:04.680 align:middle line:90% our men fucking up. 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:08.400 align:middle line:84% Remember before this store-- before this system-- 00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:13.110 align:middle line:84% before this pack of gum, you were here first. 00:02:13.110 --> 00:02:16.050 align:middle line:90% You are that kind of god, son. 00:02:16.050 --> 00:02:20.400 align:middle line:84% Remember you are that kind of god." 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:23.090 align:middle line:90% Teré Fowler-Chapman.