assimilation is not liberation [part 1]
asian-american
they call us the model minority
rooted in white supremacy
categorizing our success
perceiving our skills as stereotypes
our voices and identities suppressed
ignoring the generational work our ancestors gave
and “that’s because you’re asian” is all they rave
are my accomplishments not earned?
are my efforts not the result of my success?
dismissing the history of the refugees
the tragedy of separated families
those incarcerated
and those deported
for equating us to privilege
it sure feels like something we lack
ingrained in the system
it’s a wall that we must crack
for centuries seen as outsiders
aiming to redline us
carrying deep traumas
just a pawn used at your convenience
assimilation is not representation [part 2]
in summer you love to tan
but you don’t love it on us
using filters that replicate our features
but on our faces there’s no fuss
you argue that we now have raya
you do the bare minimum
and you expect praise and applause
when you don’t listen to our criticism
the everchanging standard is hard to follow
as if it wasn’t enough to
sexualize our women
and fetishsize our women
you set an unrealistic expectation
driving away the cultural preservation
fueling the insecurities of humanity
and it’s driving me to insanity
despite all of this
i was raised by my grandma
the strongest woman i know
and i’ll continue to rise and grow
