Bad Credit

Letters to the Editor

Date 4/5/2001 12:00 AM | Topic: Letters to the Editor

Reaction to the most recent hate crime

I wrote a poem in response to the most recent incident, inspired by and dedicated to Saye.

Tomorrow

Mama,

Today I awoke with the anticipation of a beautiful day

The sun was shining and the flowers in our garden smiled at me kindly as I passed them.

I left the comforting shelter of our home,

And I stepped into the world

And as I walked and watched the people,

I was amazed by the diversity of God's children.

White, cream, caramel, chocolate.

A unique beauty present in each tone,

Perpetuated by difference.

I witnessed and I was pleased,

But then.

Mama,

Today I was slapped out of my naïveté.

Someone looked at me and mocked me!

Mama, they told me I was UGLY, I was DIFFERENT, I was

WRONG!

I stared at my dark skin as it glistened in the sun and for the

first time,

I was repulsed.

I reached up to touch my hair and I quickly retreated,

It was course and kinky!

Mama you always boasted about my "beautiful hair" - you

confused me.

I found a mirror and glared at my face. Mama, did you lie

to me all those years?

Because all I can see is a prominent nose, bushy eyebrows

and gigantic lips!

Mama, you must have lied, because they told me I was

UGLY, I was DIFFERENT, I was WRONG.

Mama,

Today I wondered why I could see beauty in them all,

But in me all they saw was a beastly creature too different to

respect or embrace.

I wished for the perfect oblivion I once knew

Then I prayed to God for answers and acceptance.

Hurt and ashamed I began my journey back home-

To that safe place where I was not rejected.

But I was confused.

Mama,

Don't cry, please. let me finish. the day I talk about is not

over.

Today, I saw the world and I realized many things,

For this I am grateful.

I gained knowledge and experience and for this I am

grateful.

I faced hatred and adversity. I was hurt, but for this I am

grateful.

For in this all I realized how truly ugly and cruel and

ignorant the world can be

I realized that no matter what abuse they throw at me,

I am BEAUTIFUL, INCREDIBLE, MAGNIFICENT

And you know what?

Now I can truly appreciate the kindness and beauty of the

world

The good has now been magnified triple fold!

And I can offer something back to the good,

My presence.

Mama, I now know that their cruelty is from ignorance and

if I am there, how can they not know?

Mama,

Today has been a long day.

I am tired of thinking.

Tomorrow I will step into the world once again

I will learn more and see more.

I will help them learn more and see more as well.

I want understanding between us all.

Mama, now. I live for tomorrow.



-- Danai Mupotsa ('04)

Reward Fund Effort

The Multicultural Center (MCC), Black Students Union (BSU), International Students Office, Africana Studies and Student Life Departments wish to thank the campus community for their contribution in time and money to the reward fund effort. To date we have collected $703.91 and it is available to anyone who can provide information that helps to identify the perpetrators of the hate speech offenses. This money will remain available until the end of the semester. If there is no information, the money will be donated to the Imaginarium, a Decorah school dedicated to multicultural education.

-- Wintlett Browne

Director, Multicultural Center

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