A blood pact in black, white, and red

When you witness the list
Where they tagged me red
You take their side and
Leave my story unread.

They label me "Other"
They name me "Delinquent"
Stigmatize, criminalize
Without a warrant.

Perhaps you owe something
To those writing in black.
Why else would you trust
Those who lack facts?

Redlining, dividing
Patterns from the past
Hegemonic, demonic
Privileged social class

Sino talaga ang mali
Kung ang ating katayuan
Ay minamanipula
At ginagawang laruan?

They make 'us' versus 'them'
Formulate fake rules
While you're at a safe distance
In your white cube.

They tell you punishment
Is what I deserve.
But my respect is not a gift:
It needs to be earned!

If power dictates
Inclusion, exclusion,
Then, I refuse to accept
Their twisted delusions!

The list spreads like cancer
Damage can't be undone.
Do you expect to erase
Names written in your blood?

Sino talaga ang masama
Kung ang ating katauhan
Ay minamanipula
At ginagawang taotaohan?

- Nicolei Buendia Gupit