“Self Portrait” by Katie McDowell (18), New Orleans Center for Creative Arts "An Old Man in Military Costume" by Simone Wuttke (18), Dartmouth College (recent Benjamin Franklin High School graduate) "This oil on canvas painting is inspired by Rembrandt's 'An Old...
Vanessa’s Poem
By VANESSA MOJO-EYES
Life has so many days yet is so short.
The funniest part is that all we are doing is what we are told.
We eat food ‘cause we are told, or we might die, but have we really stopped and found out if we are going to die?
We are told we are colored just because the whites called our ancestors that name.
We go to a place called school ‘cause we are told when we graduate, we can become better people.
Then how do you explain to the children the billionaires that dropped out of school?
There is a place called church where the believers go, but we don’t know some just go to show off.
The “African Americans” say the whites are RACIST!!
Then don’t give me the benefit of the doubt.
Asking, Do you have houses? Do you have cars? Do you have planes? Do you have iPhones? Please don’t call whites racist and be ignorant.
Please don’t ask me to talk in my accent and mock it.
Cherish the Whites, for they understand and accept the blames and curses of their ancestors.
Cherish the Blacks, this is to every single one of them that hasn’t been lost to gun violence.
Cherish the Hispanics, for they are judged based on their home countries but try their very best in everything.
Cherish the Africans, because they cherish every opportunity given to them.
Cherish every race, for they are unique in their own ways.
Don’t judge a race just from what you hear, or what you were told.
No matter what you do or how hard you try to fit in, you’re always criticized.
Where there is a line that separates the popular, where crossing that line is the hardest thing you can ever do.
Where the popular are faking it just so they can make it.
Popularity is like power; once you have it, you can’t control yourself.
We live in a world where sexist is a thing.
A world where women want to be in control when they know damn well the head of the house is the “FATHER.”
Where Donald Trump is actually allowed to be an actual president.
Where passing or failing a grade determines if you go to heaven or hell.
There is this place called Earth. Where social media controls our lives.
We tell ourselves that this person or that person is better and prettier than ourselves.
Where suicide is pronounced easily.
The girls fear so much, they don’t want to be known as that girl that was broken up by this guy.
A world where girls are showing their bodies off on the internet.
Maybe, just maybe we could “Make America Great Again.” A world where they say “Be Yourself.” When you overcome that fear
and take that mask off all they know how to do best is Judge! Judge! Judge!
Where your deep depression is hidden in you, but you’re screaming out for help on the inside.
Something is weird, strange, I don’t hear anything.
Ouch… I have this fake smile on my face, but I’m not fine. Even worse, everyone thinks I’m fine.
You are probably wondering if maybe it’s the pressure of the so-called social media.
But you know you don’t want to be alone.
You don’t know the actual truth; being alone only makes you stronger.
Where you have to impress, dress best, to be the best.
Make it stop! That buzzing sound, it’s so annoying. Oh, it’s just a notification telling me what I’m doing right and wrong.
Has it gotten to this point where we are relying on what other people have to say about us?
They say in the end God would lead us to the promised land.
But are you so sure that you’re going to make it to heaven? Nope, not with all those tattoos, fake lips, Botox, butt enlargement,
boobs enlargement, nose job. Oh please, the list could go on.
Try your best to be different, that’s one advice I’ll give to anyone.
Being different is the best thing you could do, even though other people judge you. But you don’t know that you’re
gradually gaining self-respect and self-love.
And you would be doing things for yourself, which makes it even better.
Uniqueness is like a role model to me and should be for you too.
It hurts being rejected, especially in front of everyone who has judged you all your life.
And that person who put you through that pain or embarrassment could be that one friend.
You know that person could not do such a thing, yet you cry tears in pain.
But you keep hanging out with this person because you don’t want to be lonely.
You think being alone is worse than hanging out with this set of mean people.
These people that look at you in disgust on the inside but on the outside have these fake masks on.
Life is too sophisticated and complicated for humans. We try our best to be these fake people, but we know
how much we are hurting ourselves.
You try to be fine and perfect on the outside, but you know on the inside you’re deeply hurting.
They say that the virtual world is fake, but the truth hasn’t yet been revealed that we are the fake ones.
I know, I know… you will say you’re not fake, that I’m stupid. But I want you to check reality.
Men hit women and call themselves men.
A world where poverty and corruption can change a whole country’s mentality and way of life.
Where if you live in the hardest parts, you can adapt anywhere.
Vanessa Mojo-Eyes is a sophomore at Sophie B. Wright Charter School who was born in the United States but lived in Nigeria, Africa, for 12 years. Her hobbies are poetry, volleyball, art, and gaming.