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Letter to Equality: Anthony "Wrinkles" Cain

Dear Equality,
It's my sincerest hope that you are doing well in your existence! I know we don't necessarily know one another, but I felt this missive was a necessity. For years, I've heard of you from my elders and saw very distorted images of you. I say "distorted" because your image didn't resemble the definitions/descriptions given to me. I vividly remember closing my eyes while my parents spoke of you. I tried to visualize how you looked, talked, treated others, and what would you say to me whenever we formally met for the first time.

It's crazy because, all of my life, I've only been limited to glimpses of you. Sometimes, I feel duped by every person who told me these inspirational stories of you, doubt how you're supposed to have everyone's best interest at heart, and how your persistence would be our saving grace, and change the world. It might be fair to say that your intentions are good, but the execution is poor. I look around this vast landscape we call life, and I can hardly see you at all! As do many. I've spent many days and nights trying to convince myself that any day now, you'll appear and all would be all right with the world.

Suddenly, reality hits me hard with the weight of its horrid truths, one being how, just a few months ago, we had a fair and decent president who was opposed at every turn just because he was black. While some would argue this point, it's my opinion, therefore I'm sticking to it! Then there's this sad but true fact: the American Criminal Justice System seems to constantly ensnare blacks, Mexicans, and Hispanics at an alarming rate. As if the laws aren't applicable to all nationalities.

Don't get me wrong. I'm in no way implying that people can't have choices they make in life, but your presence or lack thereof matters! I'm also not implying that races other than blacks, Mexicans, or Hispanics all of sudden be targeted because that wouldn't be conducive to my point. What I'm saying is that you and only you have the ability to level the playing field. But you seem to enjoy the calamity and chaos that ensues without your presence! I'm almost positive that if I could somehow talk to the Philando Castille's, Trayvon Martine's, Eric Garner's, Michael Brown's, Sandra Bland's, Freddie Gray's, and Walter Scott's of the world and ask them do they think your lack of presence played a major part in their lives—they would all confidently say yes!

Though many have tried, they never seem to acquire you when they you need you most! That's truly disheartening considering I live in a country that speaks of you so highly! Even for the countries that don't have a real sense of you, I'm sure they still have hope that when they have heard of you, one day appears in tangible form. For decades I've seen and heard people cry out for you, even heard a very profound speech by a very profound man, in which he professes to, "...have a dream" that you would simply show your face. I imagine if he were still alive, he'd still be looking.

You have so much untapped potential. If you would only manifest yourself the way you've been advertised! I can only hope that one day soon, you start to have faith in those who seek you, the same way they have faith that you indeed exist. They just need evidence of your existence!

Written with incredible longing

September 9, 2017