Don'T Be Defined - Stay Proud Poem by louis rams

Do not let growing up in the streets define you as a person?
You are older now and don't need to talk the street talk and slangs.
Educate yourself to what you can be, not what you was.
I do not want to be defined as a street thug or a ghetto rat
But as a person who has learned to talk properly and has
Left the streets to the streets.
Because I do not have a college degree does not mean
That I am an illiterate; it just means that I did not pursue my education.
No one has to be defined as low class, trash, or ignorant.
Because you are born in the hills does not make you a hillbilly!
Or born in the swamplands does not make you a swamp rat!
Titles have always been given to every ethnic group, such as
The Hispanics was spicks, the Irish - miks, the Italians as wops
Or guinies and the blacks as niggers and so on down the line.
If you are one who likes to use titles on others, then there is
Only one title that you can use.
"HUMAN BEINGS" which classifies everyone.
I want you to stand proud, because you are a HUMAN BEING
Made by GOD, and he doesn't make garbage.
Learn your own self-respect and others will respect you! DON'T BE DEFINED!