there was a genocide. and there is.

helpless silence.

is that the result
of a bachelor's degree? of four years
and history and context
and analytical thought
is that all we have?
but it is more
so much more
than just that
because we're embarrassed
ashamed.
we're speechless with guilt
not guilt because we were not there
not guilt because we are not there
for most, not because we're white
not because we lived in the dorms
laughed with our friends
became depressed for a week and forgot
not because of any of that
it's because our talk was just talk
a discussion that turned into a
discussion into a
discussion and into a
discussion.
it's about the media
but you didn't really listen
and I didn't know how to listen
because no one knew what was
important.
so we listened all wrong
and our talk was just talk
and I suppose
that we grow up when talk is realized,
when helpless silence is met with action.
or maybe it is just when helpless silence is
allowed to be helpless silence.
I am not grown.
I am not wise.
I don't believe in that kind of humanity.