Title: "Always a Suspect"
The title itself sets the tone for the poem, highlighting the idea that black people are perpetually viewed as suspects, regardless of their actions or circumstances. It establishes the theme of racial profiling and the presumption of guilt that black people often encounter.
Stanza 1:
- "I walk the streets
My skin a passport to pain"
In the first stanza, the speaker describes how their skin color alone makes them vulnerable to suffering. They equate their skin to a "passport to pain," suggesting that their race immediately invites negative experiences.
Stanza 2:
- "In this white man's law"
- "A Black skin on the street at night
Makes every white cop on the beat
See me as a robber, murderer or rapist
A potential mugger or pickpocket"
The speaker points to the oppressive "white man's law" that reinforces racial stereotypes. The presence of a black person on the streets at night is depicted as inherently suspicious in the eyes of white police officers. The speaker is instantly categorized as a criminal or a threat based solely on their race.
Stanza 3:
- "Black man run fast
Black man get away"
- "Running away from a policeman can be bad"
- "In my pocket is a small packet of dagga
That might turn me into a convict"
The speaker further elaborates on the consequences of racial profiling. Even when running for legitimate reasons, such as avoiding danger or police brutality, black individuals can be perceived as criminals and subjected to further violence. The speaker carries dagga (cannabis), which could potentially lead to arrest and imprisonment, highlighting the disproportionate criminalization of black people for minor offenses.
Stanza 4:
- "When I pass a white woman on the street"
- "I lower my gaze and quicken my pace
So as not to make her a victim
Of her fear of Black rapists"
The speaker acknowledges the fear and stereotypes associated with black men, particularly regarding sexual assault. To avoid making white women feel threatened or victimized by his presence, the speaker chooses to lower their gaze and quicken their pace, showing the extent to which black people alter their behavior to accommodate others' fears.
Conclusion:
"Always A Suspect" offers a poignant reflection on the pervasive issue of racial profiling and the unjust treatment that black people face in society. The poem effectively conveys the constant suspicion and discrimination experienced by black individuals simply because of their race. Mthshali's powerful imagery and evocative language underscore the urgent need for addressing systemic racism and promoting equality and justice for all.