Do you understand?

Dear Leaders of America, 

(Dear Straight, Cisgender, Able-bodied, White Men in Office) 

Please hear me

Listen closely. 

Do you understand?

That using the microphone you were handed

And the dollar you make 

To her 75 cents

You are taking away lives

Do You Understand?

According to the “completely unbiased” local newspaper,

There is a new Mr. and Mrs. in town

But Mr. Jacobson and Mr. Price

Went to the courthouse yesterday

And were denied their right to love

Do you understand?

David goes by Dave

But if Sarah says he wants to go by Sawyer

His life may be in danger

Do you understand?

Karen Smiths is concerned about your opponent, 

Mr. Williams

Because his skin is the color of chocolate

Nothing to do with her future

Do you understand?

She has been dismissed for years

Doctors telling her that it’s “just hormones”

But the inability to get out of bed

The excruciating pain

And nights spent wishing to get better

Are not just another part of being a girl

Do you understand?

By law, she is not old enough to drive a car

But old enough to drive a child out of her body

You do not have a uterus

Do you understand?

Please help us

Us who are not allowed to love

Us who are not allowed to express our identity 

Us who have skin a shade that is not white

Us who aren’t always able

Us who make less money because of our two x chromosomes

Dear Leaders of America,

Will you ever understand?