Thoughts

My father sits me down

he is serious but also tired.

he tells me the do's and dont's on how to act when I go out tomorrow

he warns me of the evil in some people

he tells me to be cautious

that people are angry

that although you've done nothing wrong, the religion you believe in, the faith you practice, the symbols you wear the very symbols that make up your identity as a person may be misinterpreted

and people may want to hurt you

they won't know you but they won't care

they will just want to hurt you

and i sit there thinking

this must be what it feels like

to be innocent, while others consider you guilty.