My first poem about my ethnicity - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

CityOfAngels · 10-05-2005, 01:57 PM

Many of you know I'm a Native American Archaeological monitor, and I have seen over 400 of my ancestors' burials exhumed in Los Angeles first-hand. I write a lot of poetry on my myspace site, but this is the first I've written in regards to my ethnicity, so I decided to share it with you all. I hope you like it.

"I am a victim of genocide
Yet I am still alive.
My blood tells me I am a product;
A watered-down version of my ancestors.
I am Tongva, Native American,
But I am also European.
Even though I live in present times,
I am a slave to those who wish me to be gone.
I don't know my own language,
While at the same time, I do.
Your city is built in my back yard,
Yet it is my city, too.
If I could bring my people home, I would.
But we are already home.
The world is my people;
The world is my tomb.

Times haven't changed;
We've just evolved.
Enslaved in a different way;
I work for you so I can live another day.
Not given a chance to rebuild;
1/8 of my culture; 7/8 of it gone.
Dug up in the name of development;
Removed from existence for the rich.
So I say "Welcome" to you,
Just as my ancestors did for yours.
Only this time I say it in English,
Wishing I could say it in Tongva.
If I could bring my people home, I would.
But we are already home.
The world is my people;
The world is my tomb."

10-05-2005, 01:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
CityOfAngels Oh shit it's Wayne Brady! Location: Passenger seat of Wayne Brady's car.	My first poem about my ethnicity Many of you know I'm a Native American Archaeological monitor, and I have seen over 400 of my ancestors' burials exhumed in Los Angeles first-hand. I write a lot of poetry on my myspace site, but this is the first I've written in regards to my ethnicity, so I decided to share it with you all. I hope you like it. "I am a victim of genocide Yet I am still alive. My blood tells me I am a product; A watered-down version of my ancestors. I am Tongva, Native American, But I am also European. Even though I live in present times, I am a slave to those who wish me to be gone. I don't know my own language, While at the same time, I do. Your city is built in my back yard, Yet it is my city, too. If I could bring my people home, I would. But we are already home. The world is my people; The world is my tomb. Times haven't changed; We've just evolved. Enslaved in a different way; I work for you so I can live another day. Not given a chance to rebuild; 1/8 of my culture; 7/8 of it gone. Dug up in the name of development; Removed from existence for the rich. So I say "Welcome" to you, Just as my ancestors did for yours. Only this time I say it in English, Wishing I could say it in Tongva. If I could bring my people home, I would. But we are already home. The world is my people; The world is my tomb."