There’s a girl somewhere sitting in front of a cheap, slow <br />public library computer <br />Striving to be the first in her family <br />College bound <br />Walking home in the dark <br />Alone <br />To a hungry family, a poor family, an angry family, a broken family <br />That’s not me <br /> <br />I’m a Methodist white girl <br />Average brown hair (with the best shampoo) , <br />Average blue eyes (with the best mascara) , <br />Average height, <br />Average weight, <br />An average athlete (with the best equipment) , <br />An average student (with the best tutors) <br /> <br />I don’t have to bring home money <br />I study on occasion <br />I cheat and don’t get caught, <br />I steal and don’t get stopped, <br />I live a life where community service is an act <br />And summer programs have to prove something <br /> <br />Politicians, poets, rappers, proud of their struggle <br />Tell stories of discrimination, perseverance, challenge, strength, <br />Proud of their identity <br />Proud of the injustice they conquered <br />That’s not me <br /> <br />I was born in my identity <br />I was born where I sit in a J.Crew polo <br />In front of a plasma screen <br />In a well-lit, well-designed, freshly painted room <br /> <br />I never lived through any struggle, <br />Actually I sprained my ankle once <br />And the saddest day of my life <br />Was when I left summer camp <br /> <br />I have food, a home, an education, a family <br />I have a second cell phone, a second digital camera, a third iPod <br />I have money <br />But I hate it <br /> <br />I never had to prove myself to the world <br />I don’t deserve what I have <br />I don’t deserve who I am <br />I have nothing to live for <br />Nothing to fight for <br />Nothing to beat <br /> <br />I’m not living, <br />I’m dying the American Dream<br /><br />Shana Lee<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/american-dream-8/
