Immigrant Poem by Barry Middleton

can I be an American
I was born in Mexico
can I be an American
I hail from Vietnam
can I be an American
I was born in Cuba
can I be an American
my grandfather was Italy
my mother was France
my uncle was Portugal
my cousin was Russia
my aunt was Tunisian
can I be an American
I am English
and Scottish
and Irish
and Puerto Rican
and African
can I be an American
I was born here
my eyes are slanted
my skin is brown
my hair is black
I only want a chance
a chance for freedom