On the Question of Race

I am touched by this poem of identity. We, each, are so much more than a box to check. As you read this, you may notice your own thoughts, sensations and emotions that arise.

On the Question of Race

By Alicia Chambers

They ask me to write down my race

And I think
And I think
Very seriously

And I consider
Writing down the truth
And have my answer read

I have a strong woman
Colored like coffee
Whispering the secrets of our past
Inside this body

I have a wise man
Dark as chocolate
Beating his drum, fighting for freedom
Inside this body

I have a brave woman
Pale as snow
Reminding that we are more
Than meets the eye
Her secret is safe
Inside this body

I have a lost man
Colored like me
He is weak
Stumbling from place to place
Trying to find his way home
Warning me of everything
I do not want to become

I have all this music inside this body
The rhythms guiding me
Salsa
Meringue
Swing
Songs of freedom and hope
A name that can’t begin to
communicate
Where I’ve been or where I plan to go
Inside this body

They ask me to write down my race

And I think
And I think
Very seriously

And I consider
Writing down the truth
And have my answer read

I have the heart of my great-
grandmother
The strength of mi abuelita
The spirit of my grandfather
And my mother’s understanding
Inside this body

I have jacks
Dr. Seuss
Lullaby and Good-night
And marbles
Inside this body

I have Ray Charles
James Taylor
Bob Marley
Sly and the Family Stone
And We Five
Inside this body

I have a brother whose appearance
Does not reveal his culture

I have all our past
And so much future
Inside this body

But I stop and simply write down
“Other”

———–

Society has constructed boxes to put us in, to categorize us in neat, standardized ways. Something in me pushes against that. I am unique. You are unique. And we don’t fit into neat standardized categories. I am inspired by this poem that wants to open and expand the boxes. Race is a social construct and perhaps it is time to open and expand how we relate to it. As this poem illustrates, heritage is important, where we come from, what is inside us is important. What would it be like to write our truth and have it read? Your truth is welcome here.