Unapologetically Me

Acknowledging I lived in a white dominated patriarchal society

I felt this extreme anxiety

I had to grow up fast mentally

And did so messily

 

I was too American for Mexicans and too Mexican for Americans

Picked on in middle school because I wasn't fluent in Spanish

I didn't know what to do or say

I was 13 and naive

 

Then I had to deal with being the hairy girl

bullied in the 8th grade by a male peer

for the hair that rests on my arms, chin, legs and face

 

I can't forget the time I wore my first bra in 6th grade

One of the guys noticed

he grabbed my bra strap from outside of my shirt and pulled it

I was shocked and was so ashamed I had no confidence to report his harassment

 

The summer before  my sophomore year

I cut my hair, and got a pixie cut

I said hell no to society's expectations and gender norms

Girls can rock short hair too

 

Yet I was faced with prejudice because of the way I looked

Some people had the audacity to question my gender and sexuality

 

Then I  had to deal the white girls in my Spanish class

They didn't even try to speak Spanish

laughed at the way they spoke with an exaggerated accent

As if my ancestors were a joke

 

Wish I would've told them that Spanish isn't even my native language, nor is English

Those two languages were forced upon my ancestors with a cross and sword

Instead I sat in class and murmured “oh my lord”

 

Times have changed, I've learned and continue to grow

Now I can't care less

I love my body and I am Unapologetic

I am filled with self confidence

I have too much love for my ancestors to let ignorance fly by

I have become more independent and politically and socially conscious

 

With this being said

Growing up is inevitable

And now understand I have an obligation to voice my opinion

 

This poem is about: 
Me
My community
My country
Our world

Comments

Anonymous03

This is beautiful! I'm happy for you!

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