I am not American. Though I was raised and born here.
My presence will always be foreign here.
I am not American. There’s more of them and it’s less me.
Because of my ancestry they arrest me and utterly detest me.
I am not American. Though I’m flesh with a human mind.
They say my bloodline wasn’t meant to be treated as human kind.
I am not American. I’m still fighting for freedom, justice and equality.
When my kind was brought here I was meant to be property
Treated improperly. It’s as if my life has no quality.
I am not American. They say if I don’t like this place I should leave here.
They should’ve thought about that before they brought ME here.
I am not American. I’m an African who was born in the United States.
My life only matters when others in higher regard lie at stake.
I am not American. My freedom is by default.
If the ones in power had their way my freedom would still be on halt.
I am not American. No matter how much they say I receive it.
From the bottom of their hearts they’ll never believe it.
About the Creator
Joe Patterson
Hi I'm Joe Patterson. I am a writer at heart who is a big geek for film, music, and literature, which have all inspired me to be a writer. I rap, write stories both short and long, and I'm also aspiring to be an author and a filmmaker.
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Comments (6)
I relate to this so so much. Powerfully and wonderfully written, it is all from the heart. Immigrants, Native Americans/First Nation populations, Pacific Islanders; anyone who does not fit the profile of the standard White American (male), walk a different life, walk in different shoes than those in power and those that are racist, with closed-minded mentality. Sometimes people will never try to understand us, who struggle more to make a living in this "land of the free."
This is really powerful. Well done
This is raw hurt. Stories upon stories spill into the media from the states and it doesn't make any USAmerican wanna run home for comfort food.
I was nervous to read this when I saw “I am not American, though I was born and raised here,” but you did an amazing job expressing yourself honestly, truthfully, and respectfully.
Some times the USA can make their nationals and citizens feel alienated in their own country. I feel you in this poem.
This is so profound, captures the racism and injustice part done to black folks , but we shouldn't blame certain color , rather let's blame wicked individuals, sectors , and people who uphold unrighteousness and love injustice , but guess what they're in black color and white too. Nice write up