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the cadillac bumps us up and downin our booster seats
as mom drives us to the bookstore.
we sit in the kids section
flipping through roald dahl.
dr suess.
strawberry field's and co-op(-eration),
we play operation when
dad goes to work.
he returns for dinner
at 6:30, sharp.
stand still
and let mom dress us up
hannah anderson, ralph lauren, merrell
names said as she brushes
our thin brown hair
petit racquets,
ones we grip for forehand volleys
every tuesday and thursday
while we produce pristine beads of sweat
and drink cool bottled water.
back at school, we study colors,
cultures teachers say are easier than the
alphabet.
but i don't know.
if white has no color but absorbs them all too,
what am i?
beige i guess.
Hey, I think it's really cool that you decided to write this poem rather than a different formatted blogpost -- I often find that writing in this way sheds more light on the emotion of thoughts (your thoughts). One line that stands out to me especially is "pristine beads of sweat," kind of signifying that anything we do, whether with or without trying, will be of a "better" nature. Because of our skin color, and the living situations we are in. I have often thought about that fact when people try to compare two cultural or racial groups -- circumstances are always different. In the same way that your relationship with x person will be different than my relationship with that same x person, even though there are many similar factors. (sorry if that doesn't make any sense).
ReplyDeleteAnyways, great poem. I was a little confused by what you meant by "beige I guess." Maybe an incomplete answer? Still intriguing. Thanks :)
I'm really impressed by this poem. I've never had a poetic talent within me, and I think that this simple way you expressed white culture is really cool. A lot of the lines in here resonate with me, which I guess is good since I am a part of white culture, and yet I still find myself questioning things. The lines "strawberry field's and co-op(-eration),
ReplyDeletewe play operation" really hit home. I agree that strawberry fields and co-ops do have to do with this white culture, but yet only a small percentage of white people actually shop at co-ops and organic stores since they're so expensive and not available to everyone... So how can we still consider them apart of the white culture as a whole? I think this goes along with stereotypes, since white people come from a whole lot of cultures (i.e. irish, german, polish, etc.), yet we still connect them all together with fresh red peppers and playing board games, as if we have no worries and free time for entertainment.
This is a really well-written poem! I found it really similar in style to that one poem we read in class (I can't remember the name!) but described the African-American family driving around the white neighborhood, staring longingly at the houses. Although, the themes are quite different, I imagined the same voice reading it or I guess I saw the same style. I have to say my favorite line is the last one. It provides a really interesting take on the discussions we have been having in class about white culture.
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ReplyDeleteWow, this is a great poem! I think you displayed the concept of "white culture" very accurately here. It is true that when I think of white culture, the upper middle class tends to come to mind. Farmer's markets, designer clothes, and tennis lessons are good examples of white eliteness. The last stanza really stuck out to me, as you did a good job of conveying the ambiguity that is white culture. The line "white has no color but absorbs them all too" is intriguing because it represents the blandness of the white community, and it's rejection of other cultures. However, this is the surface aspect that you portrayed in your poem. The fact that it absorbs other cultures too is also an important idea. Stereotypes aside, I think the white population today is anything but one-dimensional, and the influence of other cultures is apparent.
ReplyDeleteI especially like what you wrote in the last stanza of your poem (though I like the entire poem a lot too!) "if white has no color but absorbs them all too, what am i?" I find this interesting because when talking about the actual color, it's true, that white is the combination of all the colors of the visible spectrum, but it is also seen as a lack of color. I can vaguely see a relation with white culture. In our class discussion, we were trying to figure out if white culture even exists. At the same time, "white" describes a wide range of people (racially). Also, we also talked about the differences of culture depending on region, so in that way white culture could also be more inclusive (though that probably is not the right word). Anyways, I found your poem very interesting and it definitely got me thinking.
ReplyDeleteIuls, this is great. Can I just say that when Mr. Mitchell brought up the idea of white culture in class, I immediately thought of your family. This poem captures the feel of your life perfectly: that quintessential white American feel (at least to me). I know that's a really weird thing to say.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's not the Starbucks drinking, white girl boots type culture which was mentioned in class exactly. It feels more old fashioned than that, like a modern version of the image you get of upper-middle class America in the 1960s or something (the tennis stanza especially). This poem is that mixed with the liberal Urbana atmosphere with bookstores and co-ops--also a very white-dominated culture.
By beige did you mean boring and undefined? I get that. But I don't mean to put words in your mouth, if that's not what you meant.
Anyway, really hits home, my friend. Good job.