by Ezzy Guerrero-Languzzi
I want to be educated
Chapters in books
Pages, words
Sounds, thoughts, emotions
Discovery
Who's free, really, in this country?
I never had the right, apparently
What you cannot, will not, refuse to see
I promise will never cease to be
These chapters in books and pages, words
Voices from the past, a warning to the future
A salve for wounds undiscovered
These chapters in books and pages, words
Tell me that in humanity I am not alone
I have brothers and sisters on the same journey
Finding our place in this world and our communities
Go ahead
You may take them
I give you permission to confiscate them
Ban them
Burn them
Hide them in boxes
Do what you must
But know -- try as you may, you cannot hide or change history
You will not conquer me.
Amiga you are so right they will not conquer any of us. What a collection you have there Proud to say I've heard of and read books from the majority of those authors :)
ReplyDeleteRuby, thanks for commenting. Amiga, what are these people so afraid of? I don't understand. Some of these titles are permitted across town at the wealthy schools. What's up with that?
ReplyDeleteWe lose sight of who we are and our place in this crazy world when we start believing that our view is the only one, the right one. I hope the ban (or whatever they want to call it) is reserved in AZ. I think there's a middle of the road, here. The entire history curriculum in this country needs a major overhaul.
Abrazo.
nice collection... I once read that all education is conditioned by our government ever since I have been reading and educating myself like a mad woman.
ReplyDeleteYours in an informed point-of-view, Adriana. Me hace triste tener que acceptarlo. But it's the truth. We must take ownership of ours and our children's educations.
ReplyDeletewooohoooo I'm jumping up and down with the last line:
ReplyDelete'you will not conquer me'
love it!!
Letty, thank you for your words of encouragement. A ver como salen las cosas. Me duele el corazon. Un besote, Amiga!
ReplyDeleteAwesome poem Ezzy! You know, I remember seeing "The House on Mango Street" a while back, I think in Borders... and I wondered what it was. I was learning Spanish at the time. I'm going to read it. I don't understand or get what people are trying to do by banning these books. I also hope it is an isolated incident and doesn't happen in other areas. It's hard to believe this is happening this day in age. Really crazy! Thanks for speaking out. Knowledge is power!
ReplyDeleteTara, thank you! I worry, too, that this might follow in other districts. The good thing is that it looks like TUSD is under (or soon to be under) investigation for racial profiling.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely read The House on Mango Street, if you get the chance. You wanna try it in Spanish? It's a bit challenging! Lemme know. : )
Tara, thank you! I worry, too, that this might follow in other districts. The good thing is that it looks like TUSD is under (or soon to be under) investigation for racial profiling. Definitely read The House on Mango Street, if you get the chance. You wanna try it in Spanish? It's a bit challenging! Lemme know. : )
ReplyDeleteLetty, thank you for your words of encouragement. A ver como salen las cosas. Me duele el corazon. Un besote, Amiga! (I had to repost this comment. Que coraje. No more commenting via my iPhone. Those comments eaten up.)
ReplyDeleteFor the win =)
ReplyDeleteHi, Glenn! Yes, for the win. : ) Thanks for visiting.
ReplyDeletegreat picks :-) I haven't read Drown and Always Running. Gotta get with the program! Lovvvvee your poem btw. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and your beautiful words.
ReplyDeleteAmiga, thank you for your sweet words of encouragement. <3 These have been in my TBR pile since last year and have moved to the top of the pile! I'm in the middle of reading ALWAYS RUNNING and I'm enjoying Rodriguez's writing, so poetic. Some others you might enjoy by these authors is the BRIEF AND WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO and Alexie's FLIGHT and THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN (another great one). Thank you for visiting me. : )
ReplyDeleteAmiga te extrañaba! me encanto tu poema! Felicitaciones! Y los libros que presentas definitivamente son clásicos! Happy Valentine's Day!!! XOXO
ReplyDeletehttp://mamiholisticaygenial.blogspot.com/