Swimming in a Sea of Whiteness

Swimming in a sea of whiteness

And all that I can see

Far to the right and over to the left

Above and below me.

It is the air that I breathe

It is the ground beneath my feet

It tells me what to say

To everyone I meet.

It’s been with me

since I drew my first breath

And it’ll follow me

until my eyes close in death

It’s the way of the world

With my pigmentation

And it’s all a part of this world's

Woeful fragmentation

Yes, I was born poor

And had to claw my way out

But the color of my skin

Did not make me weep and shout

I live with my skin

Just as you do yours

Do I hide deep within

And hold on with clenched fists

The God we worship

Surely He must be white

His son we follow

White He must be, that’s right.

Did you ever believe that

The flannel graphs told the story

A savior and disciples with white skin

Just a part of our original sin

Forgive me Lord of my pride

As I stop and consider

What it might be on the other side

Of people from here and there

Who am I to get to decide

How things are defined

And the value of the maligned

Within the Holy we both abide.

He breathed into us

The breath of life

And that decides and stops the fuss

I know that makes you want to cuss.

Do your part

White people

Dispel those myths

And let's gather for a brand new start.

Bring about hope

A brighter tomorrow to see

When all of God’s children

Just got to be free.