Lacking Identity Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Lacking identity can be a dignity killer.
Especially in some places,
In which those of the same ethnicity...
Choose with a choice made,
To lose who they are.
For a preference to just accept,
A visable European and Western belief.
Kept always with them to project.
Exclusively.
And anyone wearing dreads,
Is automatically declared Rastafarian instead.
To smoke marijuana and never cut their hair.
As a ritualistic redemption for blacks with wishes,
Of a returning back to Africa to fulfill those dreams.

And if one happens to be Baptist,
Deciding to attend a Catholic church...
People will begin to stare in disbelief.
With a few who may ask,
If one is Muslim on a retreat.
While others who keep up with fashions and trends,
Dress accordingly to what for them is 'In'.
Until their identity to a 'fad' comes to an end.
To leave a dignity to pass that never began to begin.

'Excuse me.
And I hope I don't offend.
But are you...
Rastafarian, Muslim, Baptist or Catholic?
I'm loving what you've captured.
It's so...
Unique.'

~I am of African descent.
And connected and proud,
To represent my ancestors.~

'Oh!
OH.
I get it.
So you are not making a fashion statement? '

~Well...
You can say,
I am fashionably of black ethnicity.
And believe it or not,
An American too!
A product of an inner city project.~