The Declaration of What I am Not

Thu, 10/03/2013 - 22:44 -- Wes.W

Location

Raised by the vernacular, but taught to adapt.

Thug life…never ran after her, I kept my moral code intact.

But what do they see…

What society has painted individuals who look like me to be.

Just because I occasionally use slang and wear snapbacks,

Doesn’t mean I fraternize with gangs

And hold guns that I cock back.

 

I’m between a rock and a hard place,

Faced with judgment from other colors and my own race.

 

I’m “white” because I’m educated,

And because discovering new knowledge makes me elated.

No!

I’m as black as Frederick Douglas and W.E.B. Dubois

Who fought against a society who claimed their people’s rights to be void.

 

In their minds they mold me.

The real me is shunned.

The effort they take to get to know me...

There is none.

Potential growth for a relationship…

stunned.

 

Assumptions lead to misconceptions,

Leading to deception and confusion,

Conflict,

Aggression.

Don’t take this as a sermon but as a lesson.

 

This is the declaration of what I’m not,

And my being who I am is the reason why I never forgot.

Comments

Additional Resources

Get AI Feedback on your poem

Interested in feedback on your poem? Try our AI Feedback tool.
 

 

If You Need Support

If you ever need help or support, we trust CrisisTextline.org for people dealing with depression. Text HOME to 741741