Spoken Word: ‘Alienated’ by Sarah Hernandez
Sarah Hernandez – 1st PLACE SPOKEN WORD
I watch as they strip away all we have,
our voice, our dignity and our freedom.
We are not seen as people, but points at the bottom of a graph.
They call us aliens, criminals, illegals, we are seen as nothing but foulsome
I am sorry for breaking into your land.
When I was younger I thought all people were the same.
I didn’t know the difference between good people and bad people,
but I didn’t think it was defined by where you are from, I didn’t think having brown skin made you less capable, less
worthy, less accomplished.
I’m sorry for thinking I could do what the “real” American people do.
There are women selling flowers on the side of the road,
children who dream to go to school, but have to make harvest season.
There are men working in the fields, under the scorching sun, picking the fruits and vegetables you eat, taking any
work available just to put food on our own table,
but I am sorry for taking your jobs.
I watch as we continue working hard building and loving a country for people who will never love us,
I stare from my bedroom window as my dad leaves for work in the morning, 5am sharp, with his dirty brown boots and
his dark sagging eyebags, I watch the men work from the backseat window, constructing the tall buildings for the
people whose job is to get them out,
I watch them dance to our music, enjoy our food, wear our clothes, vacation to our countries
but I am sorry for contributing nothing to this country.
“Just come here the right way” they say,
As seven years pass with no update on our green card, hardly any work is available, pay is low and having dinner
every day is a privilege.
“Just come here the right way” they say,
as our home country gets worse and worse by the day.
“Just come here the right way” they say,
as my grandmother scrapes up her last couple of dollars to pay the big lawyer man who promises to get her
residency,
but Iam sorry for taking the easy way out.
I am more than where I came from, I am more than the language I speak.
I am a daughter, a granddaughter, a cousin, a friend, a lover, a student, and so much more,
Yo soy más de solo mexicana.
I am the product of strength and courage, and I will never be sorry.
10th Grade, Ánimo Leadership
Guiding Teacher: Maire Rose Pike
