“What are you

Constantly being questioned

What are you

Questions regarding my identity disrupting my serenity

In this bubble that my parents had built for me

A bubble where I felt safe

a bubble where I used to feel safe

But apparently

I talk White

I dress white

I walk White

I don't do anything right

I can't be black

Do I have to pick a side

Do I want to pick a side

Constantly being pulled back and forth in this ethnic riptide

Do I have to pick between my mom or my dad

does owning up to one race mean that I think the other one is bad

By choosing a side do I reject half of me

Do I reject half of my family

Do I reject half of my history

I'm a product of love that was once ruled as illegal

and I hope that one day I will be treated as an equal

I hope one day I will find my people

And that my hopes and dreams won't be deemed as inconceivable”

-Leo, 2017

-Leo, September 2020.