the keepers and the kept
By Danielle Bennett
The keepers and the kept all dwell underneath the same concrete structure
America, decides profits are more worthy than humans
So they allow for political bribery
Profit from keeping the people down
And cuffed then shoved behind steel bars
America, strategic in it’s money making
Set up a war to Crack Down On Crack
Not cocaine
Minimum sentencing meant there was no way to reform
Only punish
I heard that in prison a door is unlocked for you about 90 times in a day
Opened and closed with timers and closed and open for schedules
When it’s your time for sunlight or bathing or eating
I wonder how many of our politicians have stepped foot into a prison
If they know about the effects of the policies they’ve set into motion
If they truly believe that non-violent offenders belong in a place
Where violence between the keepers and the kept is guaranteed
Because of a systemic power struggle between the two
One gets incentive for keeping people down while the other gets extra time for standing up
I think we are starting to realize that creating a hierarchy consistently leads to abuse of power
But the establishment has always gotten what they want
By setting up bids to get a slice of the law and order pie
Regardless of what the people need
We’re forced into feeding the pockets of politicians
Greedy and never satisfied
Always with a smile and always lying
Refusing to address root causes of corrupt systems
Which were designed to keep people down
They let industry move out
Set up red lined neighborhoods
Where success couldn’t be shared
The wealth distribution has never been fair
Because they want to keep people there
Desperation on both sides of crime
The folks who fear it and people who are punished for it
A never ending source of revenue for profiting off punishment
And claiming the funds have dried up for rehabilitation
The government is so uncivilized
Bribed so far away from truth and logic
Only listening to the voices they’ve decided are worth it
