Poem 2

I wrote this during the time when Islamophobia was especially strong because of ISIS and because of the hurtful people who believed all Muslims are terrorists. It doesn't have a title. And I'm not pointing fingers. I just wrote this to express how I felt.

Being a Muslim girl means you have to hold your tongue and be polite

Anything other than that simply isn't right

You shouldn't have come here, go back to Islam they say

If that was a place, I would've packed my bags yesterday

I'm caged in the country of "liberty"

Why am I not free?

Eyes watching me with hatred and ignorance

What I wouldn't give for a chance

A chance to tell the truth

Who am I? What am I?

Who are you? What are you?

People staring as if I am an exhibit in a zoo

Everywhere I went, they were there too

The whispers, the pointing, the hushing

Trying not to let them see how I'm rushing

Anxiety, because I'm a Muslim, a hijabi

They look at my scarf and long skirts disdainfully

Is it wrong to believe what I believe?

No, I have my rights, anyone who disagrees can leave

Being a Muslim doesn't mean you're a terrorist

Of those who hate groups like ISIS, we're at the top of the list

Who am I? What am I?

Who are you? What are you?

Has everyone forgotten the Salem Witch Trials?

Is being who I am and what I am really so vile?

I didn't do anything, all I want is peace

I want to be able to be at ease

Why?

Because I am human too.

Who am I? What am I?

Who are you? What are you?

We are all humans.

In case anyone was confused, the Salem Witch Trials were an event in American history where people were wrongfully burned at the stake because of ignorance and hatred. Some young girls had claimed witches were attacking them and hurting them and instead of listening to the "witches" and their side of the story, the "witches" were killed. Later on, it turned out that the girls being "attacked" were most likely hallucinations caused by an LSD found in fungi that grew on the wheat crops that they used to make bread. The reason adults weren't affected was because it is more effective on children. So, people were wrongfully killed, and we only found out why after all the people involved were dead.

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OhSoInglorious #1 Jan 2, 2018 21:34:50

This is one of these texts that you want to never end but at the same time it puts your head in a bunch of thoughts you know? Like I can't imagine having to go through what most muslims have to go through ever since ISIS caused even more problem (I'm not sure how to properly address it, sorry). I can't imagine how unsafe you must feel walking outside because of all pre-justice given through not only stares but also behavior and speech.

They look at my scarf and long skirts disdainfully
Is it wrong to believe what I believe?

This part really irked me, not in how it's expressed or what it means but rather why it had to be written, you know? Like people just assume you're forced to wear what you wear and that it cannot possible be because someone wants to do it, whether it's because of belief or free will or because of both. Idk why people always assume it's something forced. Why it bothers others so much I will never be able to comprehend.