Grade 12
PoetryWritingWhen someone says, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”
I answer, “alive.”
When I am asked to fight for my rights
I do not hesitate to fight for who
I Identify to be.
I identify as me.
Beautiful, bold, courageous, kind-hearted human, strong woman
The rights I fight for every day
Whether it’s the color of my skin or whether I carry female parts
or if I shall consider myself straight or gay
Why does it matter to you?
What I say?
Who I am?
Who are you?
How bout you mind your business
As soon as I walk in a door I’m questioned about who I am
But if he does the same he’s known as “the man.”
I deserve respect and loyalty
‘Cause I give nothing but that
And I share with you the feeling that has been weighing on my back
Heavier than rocks in a sack.
Not violence but words of pain
A lecture of intelligence and tears flowing insane.
The “brown skin girl” the outside world doesn’t observe
Only Beyoncé knows the better we deserve.
So caught up in the dang TV you can’t see me.
So you ask, who am I?
Well pay attention
Hi!
I’m Kayla
And I didn’t mention
it’s not as simple as it looks.
Being me I’m covered with smiles, laughs, and a goofy “cheeeeese”
refusing to accept failure
refusing to take disrespect
I am the one and only, now come correct.
I am Cape Verdean
(West African and Portuguese)
I am me.
I am the one trying to make it out doing things she loves so she will achieve.
I am the raindrop that didn’t fall in the ocean and lose its identity to the world
I am the girl who heard closed mouths don’t get fed so she said something and got pearls.
So you ask, who am I?
And I reply,
Is there a problem nosey?
There’s a lot that mouths can’t tell
Eyes can’t show
And hands can’t feel.
It’s behind the scenes
‘Cause me
I work for what I want and I don’t fail
But that’s just who I am
Not in a category
More like a they
Not like any other
And I can say that any day
Because me is more than a word
It’s the girl that will be creating the better world your kids will see.
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by Terry Velasquez, Grade 12, The Bronx, NY
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Henry F., Grade 12, 826CHI
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Rosman A., age 18, 826CHI
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Kenya G., 17, 826LA
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Annasian Walters, Grade 11-12, 826NYC
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by Alanis T., Age 17, 826 Boston
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by Leydi Di Villanueva, The 826 Dallas Project
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by Earl Williams Jr., The 826 Dallas Project
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by Julianna Cruz, 826 Dallas Project
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by Bianca Morcho, 826 MSP
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by Nhu N., Grade 12, 826 Boston
A young writer reconciles their sexuality with the beliefs of their community.
by Manuel C., 17, 826DC
Manuel sees his name as joyful and strong, linked to faith, fun, and his favorite characters, with two names that reflect who he is at home and at school.
by Steysi Hailee, 826LA
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A celebration of self and exploration of core values.
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Cate H, Grade 12, 826CHI
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When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.
by Matthew Inoa, 826 NYC
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by Jesus Sanchez, The 826 Dallas Project
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