"Micro-aggressions"
by Alyssa B. “You don’t act Hispanic”, they say. As if they is a universal personality for Hispanics? As if we don’t have 22 different countries with millions of people? 22 different countries filled with different religions, cultures, and histories Yet, because I rather I prefer not to act “crazy”, dress provocatively, and be loud at all hours, I am not Hispanic enough for you “Are you the first in your family to go to college?”, they ask As if they expected me to tell them my mother dropped out of high school due to a teen pregnancy As if she isn’t currently pursuing her master’s degree Yet, you expect us Hispanics to not strive for the same excellence you easily attain, We are not smart enough for you “Is she illegally here?”, they wonder As if we’ve all had to cross the border, risking lives to get here As if we’ve all had to travel the waters in boats, risking drowning to get here As if our only possible way to attain citizenship is with a green card marriage As if we do not deserve to be in this country just as much as you and your immigrant ancestors did hundreds of years ago Yet, you expect us all to smuggle drugs, be criminals, or rapists because your recent president-elect says that’s so, We are not American enough for you Yet, here we stand united as one because my people have contributed to this country’s history just as much as yours Alyssa is a senior. She will be studying Forensics and Criminal Justice at Saint Peter's University in the Fall.
2 Comments
Karen Conner
5/24/2017 06:11:22 pm
That's a powerful message that needs to be heard! Love it
Reply
Jean Anderson
5/24/2017 11:38:29 pm
This is such a compelling piece!
Reply
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About Epiphany
Epiphany Literary Magazine is a safe space for students at Franklin High School to share their creativity. Archives '16-'20
June 2020
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