"My name is Joy Miller and I will let the poem speak to who I am. But know it was written in response to oppression and hate. And to remind myself and others that institutional transformation is a long and difficult battle that occurs one small step at a time."
Your eyes refuse to meet mine My crazy hair scares you My eyebrow ring reminds you of what you don't know My tattoo reminds you that change is permanent When you see me You see all that I am I am a lover of all colors I am a lover of women I am a lover of the silenced I am a lover of the voiceless I am a lover of the working class I am a lover of the poor I am a lover of ambiguity I am a lover of the struggle for justice I am a lover of peace I am a lover of students and all their possibilities I am the change I want to see in the world I teach my students to believe they too can be change Maybe that is why you hate me so Because with my crazy hair, my shining brow, my tornado tattoo You see the change you could have been in the world And for that you hate yourself But it is easier to hate me Hate me if you must But know Know I do not hate you Know that I will continue to be change Know that justice is on my side Know that peace is in my heart Know that in my eyes there is love And that is the opposite of hate And the opposite of you And maybe that's why ---
Your eyes refuse to meet mine
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