Why I Care

Alone in a room with three school administrators I sat,

Silently crying, while being patronized and told that

What I did wasn’t necessarily impolite or wrong,

but it’s because messages like these didn’t belong

In a school setting because of its so called “political”

Meaning, even though i found that explanation unbelievable.

The message that we posted on our lockers said that everyone is welcome

Regardless of your race, religion, gender, or where your family comes from,

But certain families felt offended and even excluded,

When we worded it in the perspective of minorities and alluded

To the fact that Black, Mexican, Muslim, and other groups that were ostracised

By the new political climate in 2016, are still valued, but we were still advised

Not to post that message around because it offended non-minority families in town,

And made it look as though the school perpetuates racism, or at least that’s how it sounds.

I vividly remember the vice principal reading out loud to me a part of the message,

One part that goes, “If you are Muslim, you are NOT a terrorist”

And then telling me that that’s insinuating the fact that people at this school believe

That Muslims are terrorists, which i is something that is impossible to perceive.

I remember my 15 year old self, that had gone through my own degree

Of Islamophobia at this school, had so much to say but in reality

My words came out in the form of tears and I didn’t have the courage to say

That just because you didn’t see it happen, doesn’t give you the right to downplay

My experiences with racism and islamophobia amongst my peers at this school.

The administration told me they agreed with the message, but it was still against the rules

Because I was “bringing politics into school” but, what about displaying

This message of solidarity on my locker came off as “too political” or as if I was portraying

That minorities deserve extra care and love than those that aren’t minorities?

Glad to know my school had “do not make racist people feel uncomfortable” as its priority.

Fast forward 4 years, and the Black lives matter movement makes its way to my town

Some residents showed their solidarity with the movement, until the hype went down.

A few others persisted with the movement, despite being gaslighted, manipulated,

Accused of vandalism, and silenced because so many racists were aggravated

Over us calling out the racism that creeps in this town, and always has.

The incident that happened to me in high school was never a thing in the past.

It was another way to silence people that stood for what’s right

But was hiding behind the narrative of “no politics in school and on sight”

All summer I was told that I support a hate movement, and I wouldn’t ever get it

Because I lived in a suburban area, and am privileged, so I sound like a hypocrite.

And these were the same people that denied their own white privilege

And claim that racism doesn’t exist here, so I should stop ruining this town’s image.

And in the current day, people ask me why I still care so much.

Why do I think I can change people’s minds, and people’s hearts I can touch?

When it’s all useless because these people aren’t willing to change.

Though it becomes a problem when these people begin to exchange

And pass on their hate to their kids, leading to people like me

Hating myself as a teen for simply identifying as a minority.

No kid in America should ever be told that they don’t belong

Because their parents weren’t born here, or if they don’t have a long

Line of ancestors already living in this country.

I care because I know what it’s like to feel guilty

For identifying with a certain background and religion,

And for being blamed for things that were never my decision.

I remember people would talk about how they supported the Muslim ban,

And how that was Trump’s way of protecting his people as best as he can.

“Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslim”

Was such a common phrase amongst all of them,

As if both phrases aren’t actively harming the brown and muslim community.

Tell me why the vice principal was allowed to invalidate what happened to me.

I went to school with people that hated islam, but wouldn’t admit it,

I live in a town where kids are openly racist and parents permit it.

I care so much because this town has taught me to hate myself and love myself,

It helped me grow and be able to stand up for myself and others as well.

I care because that 15 year old that wasn’t allowed to care,

Finally gets to care and open up about what I was forced to bear.

Attempting to educate the stubborn is mentally crushing,

Exhausting, infuriating and requires so much adjusting.

In the end all I wish to be able to say “Ya Allah, to stand with the oppressed,

And to help the oppressor stop his oppression, I did try my best.”

By sarahf