You and I are the same.

We come from the same space.

But for some reason, you don’t see it that way.

We both respect the notion of “pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”  I respect the American way.  Capitalism isn’t my enemy.  We both agree to that.  We both respect work.  We both pay taxes.

But for some reason, you don’t see it that way.

I just want a fair shot.  You just want a fair shot.

I want to be respected for my intelligence, my integrity and my culture.  We know you want that too.  We both want an even playing field; we want Lady Liberty to grant us equal rights.  I want this land to give me opportunity and crops to sustain my life.  You told us you want the same thing.

All I want is a chance; a classroom in which to learn, a job that pays, a business to call my own.  This isn’t easy for me.  I don’t have old money.  I’m not privileged to that.  But many of you are.

But for some reason, you don’t see it that way.

I love my family.  I love my wife, I love my kids.  You probably have the same.  You love them too.

We both want them to be safe, to be protected, to be healthy.  We would do anything for our families.  We get up at 6 in the AM to go to work, to our businesses, to our corners.  We both want our children to have a safe place to learn, to eat, to play.  We want our children to be kids.  We want our families to be healthy, to be safe, to live.  We go about a lot of things in different ways because walls box you in.  Keys open doors.

But for some reason, you don’t see it that way.

I love my music.  So do you.  Mine has rhythm and blues; some of it is belligerent, some of it is profound.  You love your music too.  We both like to listen to it loud.  But when I do, it’s a menace to society; you’re just practicing your right to play your music.  We’re both the same.

But for some reason, you don’t see it that way.

We both want justice.  We trust our justice system, sometimes too much.  We want the government to lead the way, provide help when desperately necessary.  We respect our leaders and our authority.  We both distrust inappropriate behavior.  We both hate the lies, the propaganda and the tall tales from our history.  We’re both the same.

But for some reason, you don’t see it that way.

I want to speak my mind.  You want to speak yours too.  I don’t always have that opportunity, but you always do.  And if you’re silenced, you will fight the oppressor.  We both have that in our history and in our blood.  Fight the powers that be.  We’re both the same.

But for some reason, you don’t EVER see it that way.

*The opinions and ideas expressed are solely those of the author, and may not reflect the opinions of The Bronx Brand*

Ricardo Santos is from the Mott Haven Neighborhood of the Bronx.  The father of two loves the Bronx for its real diversity, its honesty between the people and its constant energy and feedback.  From vernacular, to swagger and attitude, the Bronx has influenced him in every facet of his life.

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