poetry Hey Mr. Policeman

As the crisis about the use of police power intensifies, the theme of Dwayne Woods's poem pleads for taking care in its most literal sense.

Dwayne Woods portside.org
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Hey Mr. Policeman

By Dwayne Woods

Don’t shoot, don’t shoot
I ain’t carrying no loot

Don’t you see my hands are up in the air
just like I really do care

Care not to be shot!
I like living a lot

I don’t need to be disarmed thats why I'm waving my arms

Hey Mr. Policeman, don’t shoot, don’t shoot
I ain’t carrying no loot

Thats why my hands are up in the air
Waving em like really do care

I care cause you might overreact
just because you see Black

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Hey Mr. Policeman, Don’t shoot, don’t shoot

I want to leave in one piece
I came in peace

Don’t shoot, don’t shoot
I ain’t carrying no loot

I don’t need to be disarmed that why I’m waving my arms

Hey Mr. Policeman, Don’t shoot, don’t shoot
I ain’t carrying no loot

I don't want to be shot; I like living a lot

Hey, Mr Policeman, Mr. Policeman don’t shoot, don’t shoot

My hands are up in the air
just like I do really do care

I know we are in a bind cause we ain't color blind
I see blue and gotta ask what should I do

Stand or run
Gettin shaked down ain't no fun

You see black and ask is it time to attack

Hey Mr. Policeman, Don’t shoot, don’t shoot
my hands are up in the air

just like I do care
I come in peace and I want to leave in one piece

Hey Mr. Policeman, don’t shoot, don’t shoot
Don’t you see my hands up in the air
Just like I do care

Hey Mr. Policeman, Mr. Policeman don’t shoot

I ain’t saying you are always wrong but when you see black stop comin on so damn strong
When I see blue I need to stop sweating on what to do

Hey Mr. Policeman, Mr. Policeman, lets put our hands up in the air and party like we just don’t care
Don’t shoot, don’t shoot, I ain’t carrying no loot

I want to leave in one piece so lets make peace

Hey Mr. Policeman, Mr. Policeman don’t shoot, don’t shoot
My hands are in the air
just like I do care

I don’t need to be disarmed that is why I’m waving my arms

Don’t shoot, don’t shoot
Don’t you see my hands up in the air
waving like I just do care

act like you care too, Mr. Policeman

Dwayne Woods is Associate Professor of Political Science, Purdue University specializing in African and European Politics.