Affirmative Action Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

I am not upset,
Because they seem to apply quotas...
To my existence.
But the monthly statistics,
And the cameramen in the backyard...
Filming my every move,
Can be overwhelming.

It's not that I am against affirmative action.
It is the way it is done,
That has me believing I 'am' different than everyone.
And watched too closely!
On a daily basis.
And used to remind them of their superiority.

They claim they don't know enough about me.
I guess they are referring to my skin color.
And how that affords me all of the attention I get!
As if that has anything to do with me being so loved?
Envy has a way of producing conflict.

One thing is for sure...
I am not rolling my eyes at the people on beach,
Who already have my skin color.
Nor am I trying to get darker...
To look good or more healthy!

They've been trying to re-create that,
In their laboratories.

Sick are those demented,
Who weave these insecurities...
Sick are those who expose their wickedness,
And sit back to enjoy those of color bleed!
And sick becomes a greatness believed...
That sinks in obscurity!
Left crazed to defend...
An offensiveness felt,
That angers one of a different colored skin!
Or lack thereof.