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