Racism Suab Ncu Vang (Aether

My culture is not a thing to fe-ti-shize.

When you compare me, it's not a compliment, nor is it an accomplishment, and when I try to say this, it's always an argument. I don't need you to compare me because I don't need to bear these in-se-cur-i-ties.

Now hear me out. I do not look like every asian. I do not act like every asian. I don’t need to start an argument if you would just lis-ten. You choose to ignore my words and it’s starting to get on my nerves. I say: it's not a compliment, and I will start this argument.

You have no right to tell me what I am. You don't need to assume my race, but you can stay in your place.

I say my culture is not a thing to fe-ti-shize; it's not a “trend” and it won't end. Because it's not a fad, now I don't need to act like your dad. My food and culture is not your aes-the-tic; it's not for your pro-fit so show it some respect. You don't listen, but you repeat. I say: these stereotypes; we’re very unalike, so don't you squint your eyes and pull them back,

and don’t call me names. It makes me go insane. But you don't lis-ten; you just rinse and repeat.

It makes me mad getting ignored. Yet some of you are speaking for me, when I can speak for myself; you’ve got nothing to say if you’re not in the same place. But you still choose to ignore me because you’ve got the privilege to do so.

Every single day my people get attacked when they are just trying to interact. So why do you speak for me if you’re just gonna critique? It's quite funny. You critique me, but you still speak for me; you ignore my words because I'm not as privileged as you? Why do you speak and critique, if you’ve never experienced what we have? You consume our culture on a daily basis, but you think you can assume, presume? Man, the audacity I say. So don't speak and critique. If you won’t listen and learn.

Suab Ncu Vang (Aether), Grade 7 Community of Peace Academy, Saint Paul Teaching Artist: Frank Sentwali