“My People” – a poem
May 29, 2020
I am at school.
I am not of the privileged in my community, I am of the oppressed.
I am a person of color.
I have white friends.
How do I handle it?
They judge what I do with my curly hair.
Some talk in/mimic African accents.
Do they truly understand?
Is it my job to educate them?… probably.
However, it’s me against them.
I feel alone.
I am not surrounded by many other minorities in my class.
I am constantly surrounded by those who don’t understand the struggles of being a minority.
I get offended but does anyone else?
I feel like when I’m offended there aren’t others to validate my offense.
I am at school.
I am not of the privileged in my community, I am of the oppressed.
I am a person of color.
I have white friends.
How do I handle it?
Angela Sigismondi • May 31, 2020 at 6:34 PM
I’m so appreciative of this piece. Thank you to the poet willing to make these observations and share these thoughts.
I was really struck by this line: “Is it my job to educate them?… probably.” I understand that feeling, but I also think it’s up to white people like myself to educate ourselves on the many forms of oppression that still very much exist. We’ve got to put in the work, too.
Ms. Belanger • May 30, 2020 at 8:10 AM
I dream of working together to make our school a place where every single person feels heard and feels as if they belong just as much as everyone else. We shouldn’t stand for anything less. How can we not shy away from these conversations?
Phyllis Barra • May 29, 2020 at 2:54 PM
Very powerful! I want you to know my door is always open.