I Am Not A Representative

When I share my stories

of microaggressions,

of racism,

of inequalities,

I do not speak on behalf

of a larger group.

/

I speak as me.

/

You might find similarities

between my story

and the story

of another

with a similar background,

but know that deep down

they are not the same.

/

Do not take my story

to invalidate someone else

who is in similar shoes,

but felt differently.

/

Do not read my story

and assume that you

have the full picture

of what it means to be someone like me.

/

Do not argue my story

by citing another’s differing viewpoint —

hers is as valid as mine.

/

I am not a representative,

not someone who can speak about

all the aspects of what it means

to be part of a group,

but rather one part of the whole.

/

Seek out the stories of others like me

to understand

the nuances,

the diversity within diversity.

***

Poetry Prompt: Reflect on what aspect of your writing you wish more people cued into, or noticed. What message do you want to shine a spotlight on? What values?

***

Lucy (The Eggcademic) has been invited to write diversity, equity and inclusion statements simply because she has spoken about her experiences with racism a few times. Know that she is not an expert in policy, sociocultural experience, but rather that she can only share her own experiences as part of a whole. She is not a representative, but rather one sharing a unique set of experiences that will have some commonalities with others. She has much of her own anti-racism and decolonization work to do.

This poem was first published here.