You see yourself as hearty folk

salt of the earth folk

feisty hard working simple folk

And don’t understand my education. brand name shoes, and need to travel to ‘fancy’ places 

If you only knew 

that we city folk are all just from a village somewhere

that my late and great ancestors were the proud chiefs of that village

that their feet were made dirty from miles of walking barefoot and backs broken from carrying clean water on pots far larger than their heads for miles in the hot sun

that their nose ring signified they were properly too 

that traveling and seeing this big beautiful world is only way I feel at home in my skin cause I’m not sure I’m at home even when I’m home

that I’m one of you 

That Yoga was essentially made for everyone, so while I don’t always appreciate the appropriation I am grateful for the access 

you find my culture and it’s values offensive 

without even knowing it

At the same time, you’ve literally copied it and have no idea

Marijuana was used for medicinal purposes

Smoked by our Gods

Stories in the Bible sure do look identical to ours…just saying 

But 18 and you’re on your own right?

Teaching the value of money and hard work 

It’s a good lesson 

One maybe we still haven’t fully learned….

Do you know what we know though?

That same logic kept us in poverty for centuries 

millennia even 

due to what was stolen

It’s likely keeping you there too 

So we lifted each other up

paid for our children’s upward mobility

and in turn, weren’t left in a nursing home and abandoned in old age

even if we were difficult

unloveable 

abusive

maybe despite it 

your trauma is our trauma too 

When I expressed that differing value to you 

you were offended

because I think my way is superior

never mind that you think your way is superior too

and have made us adjust to it all day everyday

when I refuse to make myself smaller to you

less well read

less obedient 

less domesticated 

I’m unlikeable

difficult

can’t relate to you 

a snooty coastal elite 

if you only knew

that while I’m property too 

I’ve been made to handle my own

Can’t cry to you because I’ve learned so many don’t care 

so forgive me for not being moved by your tears

We’ve been made numb to it 

hardened like our insides from years of blows you know nothing about

you’re allowed a humanity, an imperfection, a frailty I’m not 

If you only knew

I’m not ‘grooming’ children

I’m protecting them

ALL.OF.THEM

Do you know how much more likely they are

to be homeless and commit suicide when they’re not accepted?

Accepting them as they are is compassionate, life affirming care

It’s the only way 

Thus, the Godly way

When have you ever changed just because anyone told you you’re not ‘supposed’ to be that way?  

Unconditional love and acceptance works far better

Never mind what your God says 

We’ve had to be our own Gods

And what does that say about ALL of us?  

If only you knew

I don’t always want to talk about race

be a social justice warrior 

a Mommy 

a wife

I’m fun too 

I like margaritas

parties

reading books 

movies and popcorn 

walks on the beach 

fashion

 nerdy things too 

If only you knew

I felt sorry for your guy sometimes

I didn’t think calling your women a slut was right just because I don’t agree

if we’re supposed to be tolerant, that’s literally supposed to include everyone though 

I light my Christmas tree too

I light my diya also though

and sure wish you’d ask about it 

If only you knew

the pressures to keep thin and maintain an impossibly beautiful house and cook and have a flourishing professional career-are on me too 

On all of us 

If you only knew

Culture separates us but it’s not the only thing 

I love my kids too 

I gave up everything for my family too 

I’m just like you

I just wish you could get over your fear and unknowing of me and just know my truths

If you only knew