Cartel Cats: Know Your Rights
Chapter Fifteen: Which America?
The crew was gathered in the alley, arguing about the latest headline, when Barbara Sanders was suddenly "elected" to be the voice of the neighborhood.
Mama Patch (playfully):
"Barbara, you're in charge now. You're president! What are you gonna do for America?"
Barbara blinked, then grinned, channeling her inner Chris Rock.
Barbara:
"Which America?"
Mama Patch (confused):
"North America, of course!"
Barbara crossed her eyes, smirking.
Barbara:
"There's four Americas, Mama Patch! North, South, Central, and the one the government keeps making up on TV—where everything's perfect and nobody ever gets hurt unless it's for ratings."
The crew burst out laughing.
Barbara (winking):
"They say I have perfect vision. 20/20, baby! But real sight isn't just about your two eyes—it's about seeing with your mind, your heart, and sometimes, your side-eye. When you can see from more than one angle, you realize—yeah, we're all living in the same world at the same damn time. But it sure doesn't feel like it!"
Scene 1: The Government's "Truths"
Rico piped up,
"Yeah, but it gets real confusing when the government throws in their point of view. Suddenly, what we see and what they say don't match at all."
Barbara nodded.
Barbara:
"That's because those are just truths turned into lies—twisted up by how they show it. You can't take it at face value. You gotta look for what's missing, what's in between, what they don't want you to see."
Scene 2: Teen Truths
Sneezy Lila, frustrated, kicked a soda can.
Sneezy Lila:
"Try being a teenager! Adults say, 'Speak your truth,' but the minute you do, they say, 'That's not what happened,' or 'You're too young to know.' That's not just wrong, that s*** ain't right!"
Barbara laughed,
"That's right! That s*** is wrong, that s*** ain't right! You can't gaslight a whole generation and expect them to trust you. You want us to see the world your way, but you won't let us use our own eyes."
Scene 3: The Moral
Mama Patch, always the peacemaker, chimed in.
Mama Patch:
"Maybe if we all used more than just our own two eyes, we'd finally see each other for real. Stop arguing about which America, and start building one where everyone's truth gets a chance to breathe."
Rights Recap Song
🎶
Four Americas, cross your eyes,
See the world through truth and lies.
Perfect sight ain't just your view,
It's seeing what's between the two.
Gaslight here, spin it there,
Teenage voices everywhere.
That s*** is wrong, that s*** ain't right,
Let's all see clear with more than sight.
🎶
Spoken Outro (Barbara)
Don't let anyone tell you your truth doesn't count just because you're young, or because you see it different.
If you want to know what's real, use all your eyes—your mind, your heart, your gut, and your friends' too.
And if someone tries to twist what you see,
just remember:
That s*** is wrong, and that s*** ain't right.
Inspired by Chris Rock's legendary comedy and perspective. For more on Chris Rock, visit: chrisrock.com