Expect To Be Offended Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Everyday I am offended.
By those who are entertained,
But choose not to accept...
They do a protecting of their own ignorance.

Everyday,
Someone 'attempts' to remind me...
I am black.
As if I should dance and rap,
Twenty four hours a day.
With a joking to display...
Being black should put limits,
On my willingness to be intelligent.

Everyday I am offended.
But no one calls me fat.
Even though I have wishes to achieve,
Beyond limits placed upon me...
There are some of my own kind,
Upset by that fact.
With made attempts to hold me back.

Everyday I am offended by those insecure.
Those who choose to abuse themselves,
With a doing they believe I should endure.
But one thing is clear to me,
As I continue to pursue my dreams.
Few offend with a doing,
With a hope to be constructive.
And many offend with a doing,
Hoping something said will be destructive.

And those who achieve with wishes to be believed,
Should expect to be offended...
By those who jump off their fences to do it.