“We are a kindred people, forged in the fire of white supremacy and struggle…”
(Professor Gary Okihiro, Margins and Mainstreams)
it is a myth
that our minority
is modeled
on others’ oppression
that if we stay quiet
keep our heads down
and work hard
that we will be
The American Dream
the brown skin we share in the provinces
is the same brown skin we share
in the american suburbs is the
same brown skin we share
in the american cities
that those agents are rounding us up for
when will you realize that
aligning yourself with your oppressor
won’t make you any more free
or any more brave?
you are so proud of coming here
“the right way” and don’t see
why others can’t “do the same”
as if the us military intervention didn’t
pave the way for your
nationalized right to hate
you left your homes behind when
the government started pointing
guns in your face and now you
cheer when your new home
does the same?
you think skin bleaching creams
and americanized names make you
more palatable but don’t ever forget
your president would be happy
to see you in a cage