I... Poem by O. A.

I...

I, am a man who cannot be defined
I, am a woman who can't be denied
For we both, are of a different social class
In social structure who are wanting to rise
Up and make a name for ourselves
And for our distinctive family name.

I, am a man who has fought for years
I, am a woman who has battled tears
In boardrooms where the ruling class 'n CEO
Has an opinion of how I should dress 'n go...
To be near like-minded people like me
Outspoken, brilliant, smart, worker bees
In other hiring designated companies...

I, am a man who so refuses to give up
I, am a woman who so has had enough
Of the discrimination 'n prejudice against us
People of minority status 'n native indian love
We belong 'n contribute to our economy
And communities just as much as 'they...'
But we are often profiled for not having
All the tools in our toolbox to pave a way...

I, am a man who cannot be defined
I, am a woman who can't be denied
I know there is no 'I' in the word 'team' now
But what do I do when no one will hire down
To someone like me who is not white?
In this beautiful country 'n let me rise
Up, and show them 'black' is beautiful?

Show them 'asian' is beautiful as well?
Show them 'indian' is beautiful so too?
Show them 'spanish' is beautiful also?
Show them 'minorities' can work hard?

I, am a man who refuses to be denied
I, am a woman who will not be defined
From our basic rights as human beings here
It might be hard now 'n could take a few years
But we will diversify our nation's work
For we are part of a 'team' of workers
Who just have not realized that our lives
Are all intertwined in the defunct letter 'I.'
There may be no 'I' in 'team' but one day
We'll be playing baseball after work now
On that field reserved for those who work
Hard and be part of a companies' desired:
'Dream Team...'
'Dream Team...'
'Dream Team...'

O.A.