I'm still looking for the version of America that was taught to us in school.

The america where the flag that stands

stands for everyone’s freedom,

not just those whose skin is made of porcelain.

The america where those who protect and serve

protect and serve everyone,

not just those whose skin is made of porcelain.

The america where all are welcomed

and we welcome everyone with open arms,

not just those whose skin is made of porcelain.

But I guess this is only the America that lives inside my head.

The America that never existed.

Where “everyone is free”

Yet everyone whose skin isn’t made of porcelain is seen as a felon,

a walking disease, 

a thief. 

And the stars and the stripes that so gloriously fly

even in the darkest of nights

no longer stand for freedom.

Because this “freedom” only applies to those whose skin is made of porcelain.

What makes the porcelain people so different than those whose skin is made of toffee?

When the version of america where that question is answered exists,

take me there because no one is free, until everyone is free.