The Accent

Scrutinized down upon because I was raised in southern valleys. Coiled faces, betrayal, and hatred-filled eyes as if I was an unidentified creature from Star Wars. Negatively judged because my grammar doesn’t adequately qualify in the list of “requirements.” Through it all, apprehensively, I will overcome! Yes, me. De’Ondra Jae Fletcher. Beautiful, intelligent, and assiduous. The African American from Mississippi. I will overcome! The glares, the chuckles, the callous names Feeling beneath my peers because I do not communicate in their "proper" lingos. “My uniqueness will take me places!” I repeatedly say. I will do whatever it takes! I will overcome! I will not acquire the standards of my stereotype. Viewed as an ignorant adolescent because my pronouns and antecedents do not agree? That will not be me! I will alter my imperfections, And me, yes me! I will overcome!