Don't Label My Identity

By Anonymous

I’ve never been one for identities.

Everyone likes to label me through my skin color or the way I look.

And if I disagree with that title, their smile turns into a frown.

Then comes the shouting and the arguing.

What do you want me to say?

I’m sorry?

Sorry for not letting you judge me through my appearance?

Sorry for being that one person who’s gonna stand up and say something?

What if I surprise you by denying what you expect to be true?

What if I’m a female? Must I be weak and submissive?

What if I’m a male? Must I not cry and show emotion?

Or what if I’m neither of those? Must I cower in fear of what people like you think of me?

And what if I tell you that I’m actually not 100 percent Asian?

Or 100 percent of whatever you want to call me?

Will you draw my own blood just to prove a meaningless point?

Or will you look at my tan skin and continue to shout in my face?

I know that is not what you want me to say.

But there is no need for me to say, “I’m sorry.”

And there is no need for you to declare the person that I am.

So please, don’t force your label on me.