What do I know? <br /> I am but a mixed raced child <br />They say I must be confused <br />Mustn't know who <br />I am <br />They say I have wild ideas <br />Believing I can be black and white <br />At the same time <br />Never, they say can it be both day and night <br />They call me coconut <br />Say that my skin is the colour of Jamaica's mud <br />But inside I am white <br />That I think I am better than them <br />With all of my airs and graces <br /> <br />How can I be both? <br />When one half of me <br />Enslaved the other <br />They say I don't know my history <br />That my mother land <br />Covered my father land in tears <br />They say I am but a tool <br />A pawn to weaken the blood of the race <br />Weakened features to change to face <br />Of my people <br />I am just another way to oppress them <br />Fight against it, they say <br />Stay true to your roots <br /> <br />What do I know? <br />This mixed raced child <br />I could teach many a thing or two <br />My heart beats a reggae rhythm <br />And my feet walk proudly on England's earth <br />Made from love despite <br />The past battles and fights <br />I see the best in both people <br />I feel pride for both countries <br />Because they combine in me <br />I am a complete person <br />I am not confused <br />I am not two halves that don't <br />Fit together <br />I am a mixed raced child <br />And I know who I am<br /><br />Ellen Shaw<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-am-but-a-mixed-raced-child/
