We Fall Prey

We Fall Prey was born out of a visceral reaction to research I was conducting for my debut novel. I was looking into unjust sentencing related to race. Two phrases I read moved me to write this poem. The first phrase was from Tony Marabella, a parole board member for rapper Mac Phipps, who said, “That business that you’re in has a flair for getting people into trouble or at least getting them put under suspicion.” The second was the sentencing of Vincent Chin’s murderers where the judge said,” You don’t make the punishment fit the crime, you make the punishment fit the criminal.”

These two statements, combined with so many others, reinforced the idea that what is defined as acceptable, just or valued, does not encompass the true diversity of the world we live in. Examples of the lack of representation abound in literature, TV shows, movies, magazine covers, where “other” is rarely important enough to gain center stage. We strive to become that which we see around us, but in doing so we support damage to our self-worth. We Fall Prey. I hope this piece, pushes its readers to examine, decolonize and question the ideals we strive for. Validation and visibility will never be handed to you by those who are already visible and have claimed validation.

We Fall Prey

Purported beauty skews sense of self Manifests in what is seen in the mirror. Unspoken privileges creating obstacles to success Unjustly colonizing internal locus of selfhood. Purposefully isolated from attaining normal Forcing a never-ending search of belonging. Relentless assumptions made by those established Wielding their power, punishing without justice or humanity. Unilaterally taught the world from a singular view Portrayals of pearls always Akoya not Tahitian. Teaching desire of things outside of boundaries Social capital given and gained through assimilation. Hiding parts to meet the expectation Staying quiet hoping the blanks will be filled in correctly. Sweeping ignorance abounds without rebuke, Tony parole boards condemn without proof, “That business that you’re in has a flair for getting people into trouble” The Chin of righteous indignation masked when judges see different and decide “You make the punishment fit the criminal”. Continued onslaught of efforts to enervate. Weary and exhausted to continually teach, explain and justify. Knowing it is necessary, collectively showing up, every new day. Forging ahead until visibility is universal, validation a birthright. No longer fighting to survive but thriving. My struggle no longer yours to brush off.