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Politics and Activism

Poetry On Odyssey: Heritage?

A poem about not knowing your heritage, from the black perspective.

Nakita Kira Tsunami

May 14, 2019

Illinois State University

https://unsplash.com/photos/9cx4-QowgLc

Heritage, what's that

I'm black

I have no other answer

I draw blanks

Embarrassment

Confusion

I don't know

I don't know!

There's this emptiness

Like something is missing

As though a continent shape hole

Was carved into my mind

Into my soul

I don't know

Who I am

Where did I come from

I WISH I could take a trader finger

And draw a map that charts where I began

I feel ignorant yet I pride myself in my knowledge

There isn't an index or glossary

For the uncharted

The unmentioned

The undeclared

The undone history

Of what I see in the mirror

My family looked at me with tilted heads

And squinted eyes when I asked how do you define tradition? What is our heritage?

One family member responded

Heritage, what does that mean?

So now I know that knowledge is beyond my reach and I apologized and left feeling defeated

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Poetry On Odyssey: Heritage?

A poem about not knowing your heritage, from the black perspective.

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There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

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