Again and again, even though the barrier of ethnicity and race

I am hardly ever disheartened, medium strands of black hair tossed upon the shoulder as
the sun
blazes overhead – it’s not something that hasn’t happened before; why must one
react to assumptions purely based on ignorance?

Shall I concoct a story? A heartbreaking tale about escalation of racism, dark side of the
moon,
ribbons of dreams, memory and summers; added to this potent mix is mankind’s
refusal to mend
its ways, on the hillside, in the daisies, underneath the cedar tree, too
many hopes are obliterated. Believe,
everyone have their own mountains to climb, their
own obstacles to overcome.

I don’t take credit nor blame for deeds done by people throughout the span of decades,
you cannot
predict who I am according to the color of my skin. No, I do not weep at the
world – I am too busy
sharpening my oyster knife.

 

 

 

Photo credits: “Nothing at all,” by Loui Jover Painting, Pinterest

Lisa hosts at dVerse and invites us to write inspired by Zora Neale Hurston from“How does it feel to be Colored Me,” in World Tomorrow (1928) Come
join us! 💝

Posted for Prosery: Finding Ms. Zora Neale Hurston @dVerse Poets Pub

46 thoughts on “Again and again, even though the barrier of ethnicity and race

  1. msjadeli says:

    Sanaa, I like the combination of assertiveness and passion in your prosery. It cultivates listening and empathy <3

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Lisa 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️

      (and thank you for the glorious prompt)

  2. A great piece Sanaa! You are a great advocate for getting rid of discrimination of any kind. It is sad that we prejudge so often on perceived perception rather than waiting for the truth. Great work.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Dwight 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️

  3. Ingrid says:

    This is a wonderful response to the prompt Sanaa! ‘Shall I concoct a story?’ – I think racism, or any other type of bigotry or hatred is always a concocted story. ‘you cannot predict who I am according to the color of my skin’ – exactly that. And yet people make that assumption all the time, ‘purely based on ignorance.’ So well put and resonant!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Ingrid 😀 so glad the prose resonated with you 💄❤️

  4. rog leach says:

    “you cannot predict who i am according to the colour of my skin.” very eloquently said. I could not agree more. hatred, ignorance and bigotry should not have a place in any society.

    1. Sanaa says:

      My sentiments exactly. Thank you so much, Rog 🙂 so glad the prose spoke to you the way it did 💄❤️

  5. This is wonderful, Sanaa! Lyrical and passionate–and I think Hurston would have approved.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, my dearest Merril 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️

  6. Lillian says:

    This is so timely, Sanaa. Here in the U.S. there has been a frightening escalation of violence against Asians. And the Black Lives Matter Movement. This is so well written. I shall never understand anyone who judges another simply by the color of one’s skin, or their religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual preference.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Me neither. Thank you so much, my dearest Lillian 🙂 so glad you liked it 💄❤️

  7. An eloquent and engaging read. I hear your voice so much in this and it’s beautiful! 💓

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Tricia 😀 so glad the prose resonated with you 💄❤️

  8. Our minds were linked, our poems are of one voice, eloquent not wailing, calmly riding chaos like a hobby horse. The world has built a hand basket, and over loaded it like immigrants fleeing tyranny, seeking freedom.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Glenn 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️

  9. ayala says:

    This is timely and engaging. Nicely done.

    1. Sanaa says:

      ❤️❤️❤️

  10. gillena says:

    How does any one mend ways? Through repentence. Not just saying i am sorry, but rather turning away from wrong doing. This is the challange of mankind.

    Happy Monday Sanaa. Thanks for dropping ny to read mine.

    Much💜love

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Gillena 😀 so glad the prose resonated with you 💄❤️

      Much love back..

  11. rob kistner says:

    Strong Sanaa, very strong — and so will written. Excellent! I will see you Thursday at OLN – Live.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Rob 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️

  12. Helen says:

    Your prose is incredibly deep, has a universal message, is true and beautifully composed, Sanaa.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Helen 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️

  13. Mary Hood says:

    I love, love, love, love this!!

    1. Sanaa says:

      ❤️❤️❤️

  14. Your opening paragraph speaks volumes Sanaa and it so beautifully written. ☺️💕 Yes those assumptions are based on ignorance, sadly. There is no excuse for ignorance.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Christine 😀 so glad the prose resonated with you 💄❤️

  15. This speaks to my depths, Sanaa. I’m so sorry that any of us can relate to it in the slightest 🙁

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, David 🙂 I am glad the prose spoke to you the way it did 💄❤️

  16. Jo-Anne Teal says:

    Saana, powerful, lyrical and beautiful. Right to the heart of the line, right to the heart of the matter. Wonderfully done.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Jo-Anne 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️

  17. “you cannot predict who I am according to the color of my skin.”

    Yes, Sanaa. Yes!!! We need some t-shirts printed with your powerful words.

    1. Sanaa says:

      That is such high praise! Thank you so much, Rosemarie 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️

  18. Kerfe says:

    You have taken the essence of what Zora said and enlarged it. A wonderful capturing of spirit.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Kerfe 😀 so glad the prose resonated with you 💄❤️

  19. Raivenne says:

    “you cannot predict who i am according to the color of my skin.” So perfectly said and timely in these crazy days we live in. You have taken the prompt and flown with it, this is deep.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Raivenne 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️

  20. I admire the strength and passion of the words and the story they tell.

    1. Sanaa says:

      ❤️❤️❤️

  21. Misky says:

    Such universally wise words. Inspired to read.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Misky 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️

  22. Dale says:

    This is a powerful piece, Sanaa. Wonderfully woven!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Dale 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️

  23. marja says:

    Wow so beautifully and powerfully written a poignant piece of humans who are such a judgemental lot

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Marja 😀 so glad the prose resonated with you 💄❤️

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