Hi bloggers,
Welcome to another adventure in Speak Up World. For my first post, I will share a poem about hidden thoughts about America's assimilation of Latinos and Hispanics. Today's theme is Aggravating Force and Proud to Be. The poem is called Lessen the Burden.
This is a topic that is very valuable to me because it talks about discrimination and separatism that America has within its borders.
America has a hard time assimilating another culture into its own. As a Latino woman, I think I can speak about it because I have heard so much about other cultures but not enough about my own. So, I will speak about it through this poem.
The poem is called Lessen the Burden.
Have you ever felt that force? That need from within to speak up, tell the world how you think about certain situations, and just say what's on your mind? It is a burning sensation up in your stomach, chills all over your back and arms, and red cheeks. And, No. It is not our little friend who is called embarrassment. It is anger. It is power and strength that, after decades of not speaking up, just build up inside until you reach the point of explosion.
Every Latino and Hispanic woman or man has gone through this at least once. All these thoughts come to their heads at one point in their lives. I, maybe, am still a Naive Young American, but at least I know some of my history—not all, of course.
This poem is written out of spite and all the emotions that come through my head because I can't speak for all. It was made but never turned in to be viewed.
Lessen the Burden
I often face this question: Who are you?
Who am I? That is simple: I'm a 21-year-old Boricua woman born and raised in Puerto Rico.
I say, Who are you?
I have seen so much news that people in this country have felt ostracized by our presence.
Violence
Deportation
Racism
Stereotyping
All of which America used and still uses to make a clear stance against us.
Why? Why is that?
Who do you think built the foundation of America strongly and proudly walks on? Who do you think are the people that led on America to what it is today?
Us.
The ones that you strongly and firmly are up against.
The immigrants.
The ones that come to this country seeking refuge in the land of dreams.
And you tell me. You're not American. Go back to your country.
And perhaps… Your right.
Speak English, they say. You are in the United States now.
And.
That doesn't mean it would make me less of myself. That I should cut all of my ties with my lineage because I'm looking for a better future in a country that is supposed to be welcoming for all.
The truth is that the vast majority of Americans often feels like we are taking what is theirs. That we are invading their space.
Space
Land
Work
But the truth is that…
It was never yours.
It is not mine, either.
I ask you, Are you Native American? If the answer is no.
America was never yours
If the answer is Yes
Congratulations! You are an American.
But don't come to me complaining about what we have achieved on a land that is supposed to be yours to work and embrace.
You, maybe, have made us what we are today
But we have also made you what you are today.
Embrace
Learn
Read
Learn your history! And then come back to me.
Because the truth is…
Many of you,
Even me.
Still naive.
Naive. Young. Americans.
That is all for today, my dear bloggers, but I will leave you this to consider.
Are we really that okay with being outsiders all the time when it comes to Latinos being pushed to the edge? When is going to be the time that we will stand up with aggravating force and be proud to be Latinos?
I'm not talking about violence. Because violence never beats violence. I'm talking about words. The words from a heart. When will be the time for us to speak up?
Equality and Assimilation are everything when embedding a new culture into a much larger one.
If we don't have those, we will continue to live in the past for generations to come.
Cheers! Have a good one.
