Grade 11
PoetryWritingQuardasha Mitchell was born in Louisiana and moved to Dallas, Texas at a young age. Now at 17 years old, she is working hard to obtain her associates degree in science while still attending high school. Her favorite hobbies are cooking, listening to music, and sometimes writing.
America is toxic to me.
It’s a relationship I wish I could escape.
However, it’s holding me hostage.
Stockholm syndrome gets the best of me –
I want to trust America, but I can’t.
Overall, our relationship is unhealthy:
It’s clear America hates us.
The relationship status remains unchanged.
It is clear as day that America has a problem with African-Americans.
We cry out for help, yet America still closes its ears
To drown out our cries.
America, why can’t you just see beyond my skin color?
Why can’t you just see me for me?
I am more than just my skin.
I am a composition of brain, beauty,
Strength, elegance and so much more.
You don’t want to see that.
America you have closed your eyes
And turned a blind eye to the
Blood that we shed unwillingly for years.
The blood that stained chains, shackles
Whips, ropes, the black boots and uniforms
Of policemen.
It is obvious you are threatened by our strong willpower.
You cannot simply handle what we give you.
All we ask is to just listen to our sorrows,
Hear us out, that’s the least you can do.
America you’re toxic for me. . . for us.
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