They Never Asked

 

 

 

Asking Questions

 

I have never felt comfortable in my own skin

For more than a moment

 

How many times

Was I told that being black meant

That I had to fit into

This perfect box

That wasn’t me?

 

I wonder if they know

How it feels to be told

By the woman you feel

Is the most beautiful creature

Who ever lived

that your not black

Because you talk white

and you use complete sentences

you pronounce your words

and You don’t have that dip in you're hip

Or that glide in you're stride

So you can’t be a black man

 

You See….

 

You listen to rock music

And you know classical artist

 

Your deep into red wines

And fine dining

 

You wear khakis

And polo shirts

 

No my brother

You are more white

Than any thing else

 

I didn’t realize

That my ethnicity

Was measured by stereo types

Originated from my own people

Who seem to believe that being black

Is outside of ourselves

Like a skin we can put on

And then take off at will

 

No one ever asked me

About my experiences while growing up

 

The fear I had as a child

At that beach where

I was the only one

who looked like me

 

The way they looked at me

Their eyes were so mean

 

The way their spit felt

hitting my face

 

The way the family

Who brought me there acted

As they sided with them

And not with me

 

The anger I felt

from feeling helpless and worthless

 

It was the first time

That I experienced hate

face to face

 

They never asked me

About the time in college

When I marched with my school

For equal housing for all people

In colonial heights, VA

 

They never ask about the white man

Who marched side by side with me

Holding the same peace sign

That he held 

while marching with Dr. Martin Luther King

 

They never asked how that white man

lost his fingers while being attacked by police

 

They never asked how it felt

To turn that corner during the march

To only see a line of police

Dressed in full riot gear

And behind them the Klan

With stuffed monkeys on strings

All yelling and telling us

That when they catch us at night

We will be hung

 

They never asked why Opra Winfrey

Didn’t show up to give her speech to us

 

They never asked about the mentorship program

I participated in to show little boys

That men who looked like me

Actually worked a full time job

 

They never asked about the training classes

I taught to the homeless

Or the work I did with welfare recipients

Who wanted a career

 

They never asked me about any of that

 

instead all they wanted to know was

Why I talked and dressed white

 

Like that was the only thing

That made me

 

me

Reviews

[Erotic Goddess]

I didn't realize
That my ethnicity
Was measured by stereo types
Originated from my own people
Who seem to believe that being black
Is outside of ourselves
Like a skin we can put on
And then take off at will

You have touched here on one of my most hated topics, stereotypes... I hate them, all of them, people who try to fit others into perfect boxes with perfect labels, in their perfectly segregated bullshit world... This rant, that's what it is to me, is perfect. It heats my blood and gets the b***h in me going. I loved it.

Love,
Stephanie

[Mr. Misanthrope]

Racism is a growing problem in today's society. Such a trivial matter, based on opinion, yet it would all change, if only people put themselves in that person's shoes, felt what it was like to be different everyday.

Good read.

Luke

[Angel Baby]

WOW, this is a powerful piece...I wish the world were more about unity, but sadly it's not. When will we see a person as just a human being? Ignorance makes me so sick , there just no excuse for it. This write is a hit with me and I found it a pleasure to read it. Look forward to reading more of your writes. PW

[closed account]

wow, this was very good. I know how you feel to some degree, I am Spanish & Mexican and don't speak a word of spanish, I have told my whole life by "REAL" latinos that I was white washed,, who cares you know? I am me, love it, like it, or beat it!! lol,, thanks for sharing this..

[Pinky]

Life is stereo types... its sad but true... great wriite! Alot of meaning

[Kristina Moulaison]

This is naked and beautiful. Thanks for sharing it. You cannot pretend these feelings don't exist in you, that these things didn't happen to you. Hate and ignorance has to be drug into the light, exposed. The beginning of change is understanding. Thank you for helping me understand a little better.

[Sarah Morgan]

This poem is so bold and brilliant. I love it. I hate the fact that the world today labels people as if we were products on the shelves. I wish the world were more about unity, but sadly it's not. There will always be those people who try and tear us down because we don't want to be like them. Poems like this touch my heart to know that there are people out there who want to make a difference in changing the views of people in this world. Again I say bravo. This is going into my favorites. : ]

[Dan Bullock]

Wow, this is just beautiful and sad and so honest it makes me want to make everyone I've ever known read it, stupid people with racial tendancies to read it...I'm lucky enough to have brought up in a good family who was taught from very early on, that whoever we are, wherever we come from, that we are all the same. I know that's easier said than done in a world where women in high powered jobs are Still frowned upon, but hopefully you know where I'm coming from.
It's interesting that also I don't also always feel comfortable in my skin as a man, because I have a girlfriend and I do all the 'normal' things but if I tell people I write poetry or stories or what not....even that gets funny and misunderstood looks sometimes, I know this doesn't relate on the level of this poem though, it's brilliant.

[Moonbeam Rose]

Wow, this is full of so much emotion that I feel as if you and I are face to face anywhere talking about your life. Your goals and what trials you've dealt with. I feel so young in compared to you now but still I see the history that you were a part of and the history that you are still bringing about.

[April Child]

Powerful piece. I would LOVE to hear this read aloud, it is a poem which needs to be performed. It builds and has a great momentum and oozes emotion with each line. Essentially it is about racism but its also about people's inability to 'see' and their need to judge and classify each other which I think we can all be guilty of at times. Great wake up. GREAT piece.

And You don't have that dip in you're hip
Or that glide in you're stride
So you can't be a black man

[Barbara Walker]

WOW, this is a powerful piece. I can feel the hurt. I so hate that we are all suppose to fit in these little squares of what "someone" thinks is right for us. When will we see a person as just a human being? It confounds and angers me the visciousness people can have towards each other. Hardly ever able to feel comfortable in your own skin...so sad. A great poem. Barbara