"The uncivilized ghetto" is a poem of a place many of us know too well. A place of anger for the lack of resources and educational advancements. A place where no matter how much of yourself you give, you are still referred to as "those people or looked down in pity. We are done waiting for politicians to make a change, it's our turn. Change starts with acknowledging the problem and here it is. Here is the problem through my eyes.

The Uncivilized Ghetto

Asbestos-ridden buildings

Expired food and spoiled milk fed to the masses

Leakages covered with duct tape and buckets

Someone help us! We are dying!

Someone break us free!

Free from the unfiltered water that fills our bodies

Free us from our fucking cells!

I mean our system or the corruption of it.

Just let us out, please, we are begging you.

We are surrounded by underpaid teachers who are trying their best

Their classrooms can't hold any more of us

It is like walking into a can of squirming sardines

Their budgets limit our opportunities

Our college advisors can't seem to keep up

They are slowly giving up

Many of us are falling through the cracks

Becoming what everyone says we are

Simply filling the shoes of our predecessors

Only a few us get to make it out and "make it big"

But screw making it out

Every corner I turn I have to explain myself

The way I look and talk needs to change

Everyone looks at us with pity or curiosity

"Congrats on making it out" they tell us

As if we are the prodigal sons and daughters of the uncivilized ghetto

"How did you do it? Did affirmative action get you here?"

I can't even get mad, I can't even react because that's what they expect

"You don't seem or sound like those people," they say proudly

As if it's a compliment

As if I should kiss the floor they walk on

Praise these kings and queens who separate me from the masses

Fuck you. I am "those people"

I am from Detroit.

I am from the motor city.

I do look like the daughter of immigrants.

I do sound like a beautiful soliloquy made up of my bilingualism.

I would prefer to be stoned for being the black sheep

Rather than to be loved for hiding my individuality.