While the BBC and the world’s media lauds Elon Musk’s SpaceX trip to the “International Space Station“, I looked at the photographs I saw around me.

On a day I hear 75 cities in the USA are subject to anti-racist protest, whilst reading “Rule Britannia. Brexit and the End of Empire” an excellent book by Danny Dorling and Sally Tomlinson examining the racist roots of Brexit, I was reminded of this poem by Gil Scott-Heron.

Black lives don’t matter as much as whitey on the moon.

Whitey on the Moon

Whitey on the Moon

A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face and arms began to swell.
(and Whitey’s on the moon)I can’t pay no doctor bill.
(but Whitey’s on the moon)
Ten years from now I’ll be payin’ still.
(while Whitey’s on the moon)The man jus’ upped my rent las’ night.
(’cause Whitey’s on the moon)
No hot water, no toilets, no lights.
(but Whitey’s on the moon)I wonder why he’s uppi’ me?
(’cause Whitey’s on the moon?)
I was already payin’ ‘im fifty a week.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Taxes takin’ my whole damn check,
Junkies makin’ me a nervous wreck,
The price of food is goin’ up,
An’ as if all that shit wasn’t enoughA rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face an’ arm began to swell.
(but Whitey’s on the moon)Was all that money I made las’ year
(for Whitey on the moon?)
How come there ain’t no money here?
(Hm! Whitey’s on the moon)
Y’know I jus’ ’bout had my fill
(of Whitey on the moon)
I think I’ll sen’ these doctor bills,
Airmail special
(to Whitey on the moon)

• Source: LyricFind
• Songwriters: Gil Scott-Heron
• Whitey on the Moon lyrics © Carlin America Inc