For those who spoke when I couldn’t
Thank you to the woman
who spoke of linguistic justice
while the knot in my throat
strangled every English word.
And thank you to the Black man
who poured his heart out,
explaining how, to be called American,
he was expected to surrender
his culture, his truth, his vision of the world.
Thank you—
because you raised your words
when mine were gasping for air.
Even your heavy breathing
resonated through me—
your strength, your fatigue.
I see you.
As for those who flag themselves
with the red caps and the attitude—
those uneasy with my existence—
don't tell me to return
to the home I was displaced from.
Thank you.
And to those eager to "defend" me,
imposing your thoughts upon me
without knowing what I stand for
or where I come from—
don’t ask me to call this my homeland.
Home is the place
where I can be myself.
And this place?
Rated R for Racism.
Thank you.
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Thank you for sharing this poem!
I find these lines particularly powerful:
I think this is a very important conversation to have and I really like that you wrote abt your feelings and experiences. I’m not American myself but we’re also having a rather unfortunate movement here in Germany that is threatening to turn into a similar direction as the US is turning :/
A note, when I first read this, I thought here “his culture, his truth, his vision of the world.” It would end with “future” not world. It felt like it would fit the rhythm better.
Here's a review, GeeLyria!
Permit me to start by saying I'm Cameroonian. I don't know if you've ever heard about this place but we're the second bilingual country after Canada (we have both French and English as official languages). English speakers are a minority here so I can relate alot to this piece.
I love that you're not attacking anyone in the poem because most people do that. I admire the fact that you chose to leave violence out of this.
secondly, The gratitude you show in this _"Thank you to the woman
who spoke of linguistic justice
while the knot in my throat
strangled every English word.
And thank you to the Black man
who poured his heart out,..." _ is a great idea and it would make alot of people willing to help knowing that their help is acknowledged and appreciated.
There is one downside to this though; it sounds more like a short story narration than a poem. I guess that's because it just flows too smoothly from line to line in my humble opinion. Like a Thank you speech or somerthing . but your're the poet so as it suits you.
overall, this piece is heartwarming and reassuring to those who might be in similar situations.