Stuck - Poem for my oldest daughter

I wrote this poem based on what my daughter was experiencing being a biracial child in Ferguson, MO. She feels stuck. We are trying to form open communication to help her with her feelings. All of this is written off of what she has told me when we were talking, so while the format is mine the feelings are all hers. 

STUCK

All I see is black and white, literally and figuratively,
And I forget to see all those in between.
What does that make me?
Stuck
I see blacks angry at the whites for mistreatment,
And whites unable to understand the pain.
What does that make me?
Stuck
I have been exposed to so much hate,
And have to pretend to be brave for my sisters.
What does that make me?
Stuck
I was only a little girl with big dreams,
Now I don’t know who I am supposed to be.
What does that make me?
Stuck
I feel like a black girl in a white community,
And like a white girl in a black community.
What does that make me?
Stuck
Ferguson is the city I love,
and a place that I fear.
What does that make me?
Stuck

Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 4, 2015 at 10:35 AM

    Roger Ebert once described filmmaking as 'a machine that generates empathy.' I htink your poem helps enable empathy for your child's struggle.

    The notion of being stuck between groups serves as a theme in some literature. If you are looking for books your daughter might read on the subject, you might consider: http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2013/02/25/mixed-but-not-mixed-up-biracial-characters-in-ya-lit/

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    Replies
    1. FaithMarch 4, 2015 at 10:57 AM

      Thanks for commenting. I know that she is not the only one who felt that way and I hope to open communication and help others who feel that way and help some to have empathy for those who do feel stuck.

      We walk that narrow line and see the imperfections of each side... it can be seen as a blessing or a curse. I want her to see it as a blessing.

      I will check out the books, thanks for the ideas. :)

      Delete

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