#yourlifematters Poem by Bryan Cobaris

Since you won't listen to each other, please listen to me.
Until both sides hear the other, none of us will be free.
The misdeeds of a few have pushed us all up to fight.
But between "Black Lives" and "All Lives", no lives are all right.

#BlackLivesMatter doesn't think every officer is one in the same.
But its important to gather all facts before assessing the blame.
No criminal act can ever excuse or make sense of police brutality.
But excusing all actions of minority criminals implies duality.

#AllLivesMatter preaches unity for all and is unfairly seen as dismissive.
But some of its fans twist its message to urge minorities to be submissive.
The belief that everyone is equally important is noble...if that were the case.
But it rings hypocritical when used its to ignore mistreatment of another race.

So we can keep wasting time, keep blaming each other, as our children choose a side.
Or we can be accountable for our mess, and work together to erase this destructive divide.
Let's give new meaning to #YourLifeMatters and promise to see it through.
Because if we all agree that your life matters to me...then my life will matter to you.