I am Caucasian, as white as snow, but somehow I don't blend in with my own culture! I feel like I blend in more with a Black. They judge me for my skin being pale, not tanned enough. I try to tan, buy lotions that make me almost look orange! One day I looked almost Black, they implied! I guess it is because I am fully bilingual, knowing French and English. I watch English television back home until someone tells me to skat, like a cat, only french shows are aloud. How can a person be judge mental towards a language that is universal and towards how pale my skin looks? In other cultures I am told I look like their own, I feel touched and blessed. Other cultures treat myself like their sister and brother. I am not a difficult person, I try different foods no matter how hot they are, until my voice turns Black! I like to listen to hip-hop, watch The Black Entertainment channel and as soon as I do so, back home they insist I will marry a Black! I have a lot of Black friends so might as well marry a Black! Maybe my family would stop the prejudices for this beautiful nationality if they got to know a Black in the depth of their soul. They would find a person that has soul, passion. A person that has it in them to have rythm and is a good dancer! A person that would never trade their own for a pot of gold. Or make their own do all the labor, what happened to sharing? I feel like history repeats itself, the only difference is I am White like them! The days when a Black was traded in under ground tunnels to be slaved and put through labor. Somehow they still see a Black being under them! I see a Black as being brave, not afraid to fight for their Rights and for their Freedom. I guess my family judges depending on what they see on TV, seeing gang members, stealing causing fights. Instinctively, they think it's a Black, when it's the total opposite. Ironically, a white person can do the same! Instead of putting a label on someone that is different, they should label their own, instead they diss-own their own! No one is better than another or inferior, the only difference is color! Yes we are White, they are Black! Like Michael Jackson once sang, "It Don't Matter If You're Black Or White...I Said If You're Thinkin' Of Being My Brother, It Don't Matter If You're Black Or White!" As long as we have each other's back and when one falls, someone will be in the back to catch them before they hit the ground and see a White light at the end of the tunnel that is Black!
Black History Monthly, let us celebrate a beautiful heritage in Montreal, Quebec! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2AitTPI5U0
(c) Marie-Ève Côté Poetry 2013 :)
Background Summary: This piece a poetry goes in depth of coming from a White family that still has some prejudices with cultures and Blacks. I wish I could make them understand that Quebec is suppose to be a multicultural province and that we are known for having a lot of immigrants, which makes our province beautiful. Instead we welcome them by giving jobs that are less than the degrees they have earned from their studies in their country. A doctor from another country will become a taxi driver in Quebec. Even a perfectly bilingual white person with a college D.E.C of 3 years has difficulty integrating in a Quebec system that still strongly supports the 101 Charter, French before English, when it should be equal. I would love for my family to understand. My mom had a Quebecer boy friend who still strongly believes in the 101 Charter and talks about other cultures and diss-inigrates them, and I have to keep my mouth shut, when I know it's not right! The believers of the 101 Charter believe that Quebec should be seperated from Canada and this has been going on for years and has not happened. This goes to prove that we need to be there for one another, no matter the color. I put the emphasis on "diss" forward to emphasize the importance of the word and the negativity it projects.
For now I was inspired to write this poetry to inspire others who think like me and share universally. The emphasis on Black or White, through the use of Capitalization. Whites talk of immigrants coming to Quebec, being with no jobs and having babies only. Whites capitalizes a lot on how the soul capital, which is "money" is given more to cultures and divided unevenly, when the reality is that we are only sharing amongst ourselves, through times of crisis. As much as Whites emphasize this, they are blinded to see the lack of resources, jobs being cut and Black or Whites all go through the same situation. Immigrants moving in Quebec because their own country is being ripped apart by: war, natural disasters, etc. If we do not create peace and acceptance among one another, there will always be revolutions. The 21st century, migrates around how much money one can make, when it is scarce. We crave to make more and go to extents of hurting one another or become stress and sick. In conclusion, I believe the "barter system", which is a method where we would exchange goods for services, should be brought back! Sadly to say "Gold" not long ago has become the sole "God" to some. There should be more giving and loving, society should stop living and thinking, "Black or White?" Black or White, should become "Bright" and "Colorful". Bring back what is still free Love & Compassion, the only medium today left that brings happiness is music and art! Yet for some art and music is also looked down upon because again "money" does not come easily, one thing for sure it brings people together to enjoy life! Another prejudice comes among artists as well. All I can say is live your dreams and what makes you happy! Happiness has no price tag and brings color to a world that to some is still "Black or White." To me the world is about Black and White coming together through the art of music!
In our society today people are judged, criticized over race, sex and religion. It's disgraceful, and after reading you're poetic justice I feel a connection to not only you're words, to you're heart @Marie-Ève Côté
Dear Poets & Writers;
As a community of poets and writers, we must learn to articulate our thoughts, feelings, and opinions in a way that makes a difference.
Our words and voices can have a significant impact on others and can also inspire positive changes in this big, diverse world. Simply putting someone down, calling them names, or cursing at them are not ideal ways to handle tough situations or people.
We are all free to express ourselves but should do so in a manner that inspires others to think, learn, or grow. Don’t just call someone ‘ignorant’ or ‘stupid,’ and foul language is not helpful. Educate them. Help them understand what they did or said wrong from your perspective. Offer your own opinions, thoughts, and advice, then listen to try and understand why or what the cause of any confusion may be. Then you may try coming to a reasonable solution, even if it means just walking away from the situation all together.
We don’t have the power to change everyone nor silence everything we don’t agree with, but we can be better in expressing our opposing views in a clear, concise way. We can also stand up for what is right and defend our beliefs, if necessary. If we do this with kindness and respect then we can all, at last, come together and discuss some of the world’s toughest issues difficult to face. If done correctly, many of us will come to realize that fighting, violence, and name-calling is not the world’s only solutions and that we are not all enemies. Together, we can make this world a better place, even with our differences and flaws.
We appreciate everyone who chooses to use their words in a positive manner and thank you all for your support in making this a strong, diverse community, where all writers and poets feel comfortable enough to express their true feelings. https://www.realisticpoetry.com/post/there-s-a-better-way-to-express-our-feelings
@Marie-Ève Côté Identity is such an important part of how we view ourselves in a great, big, diverse world of people. Thank you so much for being such a brave and courageous soul to openly express and describe your emotions and experiences with significant social topics such as racial discrimination and bigotry.
We appreciate your ability to be honest with the community and it is insightful to read such an in-depth statement on how you feel you identify more with the Black Community. A great example of how this world is truly one great, big melting-pot!
Thank you so much for sharing with us and we look forward to learning more about you!