I’m a non-white, illegal immigrant, African-American, Jewish Orthodox, Buddhist

(Door slams)

Indian, Slavic, Islamic, Mexican-American,

(Bolts clasped [from the inside])

Jehov … #nameyourprejudice

(Soft whispers trail off into the quiet afternoon) …

~

Behind closed doors

Our world is safe now

As long as what we fear

Stays outside in the general public’s eye

~

Isn’t that the truth?

Don’t we oft spout off?

Speaking the open minded need

We like to sell

Inclusion

Write books, essays, and lecture each fall

To our Nation’s teachers

– a pressing mandate –

… Need to recognize each individual’s contribution

~

Our society is built on a fundamental premise –

“One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself”

Sophocles, Plato, James Baldwin, Wordsworth, oh yeah, Lennon

Shh … Jesus

… and those that remain

Angelou, Chomsky … #nameyouractivist

~

Seems all of our time is spent

Trying, asking, forgiving, emphasizing

When really we are as fallible as the next

Public scrutiny

~

What is my opening statement?