I belong.

This poem explores the writer’s identity as a Black, asexual, nonbinary, multicultural human being.

I am a black person

skin color that of warm caramel

So when people see me

they think I’m every race but who I am

My speech isn’t the norm

for my people

And I’m not very outgoing

I’m quite feeble

I don’t listen to rap or hip-hop

but when I do

It’s because there is meaning in the words

and not “gang shit with the crew”

I don’t say the n-word

and don’t always swear

I don’t get a perm

‘cause I like my natural hair

I am a black person

but my people say I’m wrong

They say I’m not one of them

that I don’t belong

I am asexual

and maybe aromantic

But people swear we don’t exist

and get quite frantic

“It’s just a phase

you’ll grow out of it”

“Are you feeling well?

you might just be sick”

I don’t get turned on

by men shirtless

Or when women

start to undress

I’ve never fallen in love

and don’t think I ever will

I don’t think that type of love

is something I can feel

I am ace and maybe aro

but others say I’m wrong

Straights and LGBTQ+ alike

say that I don’t belong

I am genderfluid

a mixture of three

But when people find out

they can’t let me be

Androgynous female is one

the first one discovered at that

Just one piece of my gender identity

to be constantly picked at

Non-binary is the second

because sometimes I’m just a being

Another piece of who I am

that I’m told means nothing

Demi-boy is the last

it came to me all of a sudden

And people swear I can’t be all of them

and it pushes my buttons

My pronouns are all them

she/her, he/him, they/them, etc.

No, not it

because I’m not an object, Deborah

I am genderfluid

but so many say I’m wrong

“You can only be one gender”

so I don’t belong

I am sometimes a woman

in the way I identify

But by my appearance

I’m always one on the outside

Men and women alike

say I exist to carry children

Well, I don’t want kids

“You are a villain”

My body must be shown off

and it must meet everyone’s standards

Well, I listen to no one

everyone will be left unanswered

I can’t be my own person

must fit the description in everyone’s minds

You think I care about that?

I am not a breed of that kind

I am sometimes a woman

but people say I am wrong

“Because a woman does this and that”

so I don’t belong

I am multicultural

identifying as mixed

But everyone has a problem

with the way I choose to exist

I am learning different languages

and identify with my roots

No matter how small a part of me

it makes up my truth

I like eating ethnic foods

and celebrating ethnic holidays

I learn the history behind them

so I hope that what I’m doing is okay

I learn about different countries

and educate myself as much as I can

But others don’t like this about me

and try to create a ban

I am multicultural

but people think I’m wrong

“You can only be one”

so I don’t belong

I am chronically ill

both physical and mental

But the world hates me for it

and everyone is so damn judgmental

I feel tired all the time

and barely have any energy

But often find myself not being able to sleep

which puts me in further jeopardy

Can barely eat anything

and feel depressed all the time

And I’m always anxious

I feel like I’m losing my mind

The media makes fun of people like me

or don’t portray us right

You think that’s a smart move?

That makes you ignorant not bright

I am chronically will

but people swear I’m wrong

“You are making things up”

so I don’t belong

I am a person

just like everyone else

Despite who I identify as

and my very bad health

I am not the villain

I am not wrong

Because I’m myself every single day

and that makes me strong

And I know that somewhere to someone

I belong

Add “I Belong” to your shelf in the Novelly library.

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Meet Novelly’s Read to Heal Podcast Hosts

Emdya (she/her)

Emdya, also referred to as Emdy or Em, is a 16 year old female in Florida, who was born in Cuba. She adores the art of poetry and contemporary/modern dance. In her free time, Emdya enjoys writing for several hours while drinking an Iced Caramel Latte. Emdya also partakes in weightlifting, and research on political and current events. Emdya hopes to express positivity and kindness to all; she believes that the world would be a better place if we all were a little kinder to each other. She is passionate about access to effective education to all, STEM encouragement, and community service.

Harnoor (she/her)

Harnoor is a high school senior from the Bay Area. She is passionate about the arts, climate change, and social justice. She proudly identifies as both Indian American and LGBTQ+. She is a founding member of her school’s chapter of the Bay Area Student Activists and a graduate of the Novelly’s SPEAK! Leadership Acadamy. She loves writing, indie music, art history, and trivia. In her free time, she likes to write short stories and go on walks.

Madi (she/her)

Madeline (“Madi”) is a sophomore in high school from Los Angeles, California. She is a proud first-generation American and was raised in a multi-racial household. For the past three years, Madeline has been involved with Novelly, giving her an opportunity to combine her passion for social justice with her love for reading. She has served as a youth designer in the early days of Novelly and, more recently, was a head editor for Novelly’s youth-run blog. When she’s not doing schoolwork, Madi enjoys playing board games with her family, watching bad teen movies with her sister, and going to the beach.

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Diverse Youth Voices. Amplified.

Novelly is on a mission to get e-books by underrepresented youth published and taught in the English classroom, so that every student can feel seen and inspired by what they read in school.