I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place,
All they can see is a white face,
Because those who are white don’t see me,
They don’t see the culture I be,
My high cheekbones, almond eyes, or olive skin,
Instead light hair, blue eyes, light complexion.
Don’t matter to them if I grew up surrounded with pride,
they think I use it as an excuse for a free ride.
They’re wrong for denying me and existance,
for further creating an identity crisis.
Although I look white my family taught me spirit,
and my dreams enlighten to listen and hear it.
My blood line is long and important,
because it’s been so long we’ve felt the effects of colonial garbage.
My people survive cultural genocide,
and now there language they work to revive.
And they may have beat them white,
but for our heritage we still fight.
We hold strong.
And this is where I was taught to belong.
But sadly what taught has long lasting effects,
because blood quantum leaves me as a reject.
And neglected from the traditonal raise,
of all the goods and bads of reservation ways.
My roots still have Finnish and Swede,
making me still feel like a weed.
Growing between the cracks,
Always having to stand tall and watch my back.
Protect myself from those who persistently reject,
who reaffirm that I have a defect.
Being mixed there is no win,
they always make you pick what side you stand within.
There never seems room to have two cultures,
no acceptance for the fire stoakers.
But most people of color are always asked to choose,
and it seems no matter what they always lose.
Too rich, too poor, too light, too dark,
but we have ways to recognize each other when it’s hard.
But within some groups we still don’t fit,
because half of us can go without being made tough as grit.
Half of mixed can pass as culturally west,
thinking they look and fit in like the rest.
But the world will someday let them know,
because the ignorance of America will eventually show.
And the beauty that’s seen in living dually,
will fade from the pain of abandoning.
The pain of lost and feeling alone,
this feeling reaffirmed even when you’re grown.
So the majority of us take shelter with each other,
because through understanding we feel like sisters and brothers.
