Winnipegger channels pain and dignity into poetic response to racism, killing of George Floyd

NOTE: This was originally posted June 27, 2020.

Winnipeg's Aldeen Williams, 70, responded to the May murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis by pulling out a notebook and pouring her heart into a poem.

Here's what she wrote.

The true colour of my skin is Black.

I cannot change that.

I am fearfully and intricately made.

I still remain Black.

I am perfectly designed to be me.

I still remain Black.

I moved to the States.

I still remain Black.

I moved to the province.

I still remain Black.

I work harder than everyone.

I still remain Black.

I work hours of unpaid overtime.

I still remain Black.

I am called coloured.

I cannot see the red, orange, purple or green.

I still remain Black.

I am told if you are Black, stay back.

I still remain Black.

I am beaten black and blue.

I still remain Black.

I held my breath to become blue.

I still remain Black.

My blood bleeds red.

I still remain Black.

My life is choked out of me.

I still remain Black.

Then I die.

I become even blacker still.

I still remain Black.

You cannot change that.

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