I'm not Racist, I Have Black Friends

In the mosaic of friendships, colors blend,
Yet truth remains, there's much to comprehend.
"I'm not racist," a shield some proudly wield,
"I have Black friends," a narrative concealed.

Diverse backgrounds paint our social scene,
But beneath the surface, biases unseen.
A shield against accusations, they claim,
Yet fail to confront the biases, the same.

Having friends of color, a step indeed,
But alone, it's not enough to heed.
Internalized racism, biases deep-seated,
Require introspection, attitudes unseated.

Allyship demands more than mere claim,
It's about actions, not just a name.
Proactive steps, confronting our flaws,
Challenging biases, breaking down walls.

Listening to voices that have long been ignored,
Amplifying struggles, standing in accord.
Understanding privilege, the role we play,
In dismantling systems, day by day.

So let's not hide behind friendships' guise,
But delve deeper, where truth lies.
For genuine allyship, it's an ongoing quest,
To confront biases and truly invest.