INSIDE OUT
Location
No longer “Milk’s Favorite Cookie”--
nor the dual chocolate discs with the snowy white filling,
nor the prestigious treat adored among millions
It is no longer a coveted treat--
black on the outside, white on the inside,
who knew a soul could have a color, a race, an ethnicity…
the Oreo is derogatory
my characteristics
my mannerisms,
With each strand of curly hair I straighten and the environment I was raised in;
an articulate accent
an un-pigmented playlist
the Oreo is stereotyped
as sour as expired milk,
“Oreo” leaves bitterness each time it twirls off a tongue;
both sides of the coin are felons of judgment,
fueling oppression, condemning conformity
the Oreo is offensive
My ancestors didn’t fight for this--
nor Martin,
nor Malcolm
the Oreo is regression
Society will not define me by its own standards--
I refuse to conform to its obtuse opinions;
the cookie will always be the craved snack by my Father
Oreo is not my name