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
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.
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.