Average Life of a Brown Girl
When I was in the 9th grade, you looked at me with happiness
You smiled at me like it was some obligation; an obligation to your degree and an obligation to your paycheck
Never have you given me the educational respect that I needed
When I asked a question, you looked at me with sympathy
When I failed a test, your judgement was already made
In your mind, you split the class from popular to smart to capable to presence to me
You always gave me exceptions, no, no
You know my parents are brown; their expectations are out of this world
They want everything to be fair, fair, a word of many meanings and different interpretations
You, Mrs. Kelly, have always treated me like a girl in your class
Mrs. Kelly, I want you to treat me like a bright student in your school
Mrs. Kelly, I want you to forget my past
Mrs. Kelly, I have hope in you; take whatever conglomerate of ideas you have of me and erase them
Just have one word in your mind: capability