I'm a Fake

by Mae Cham

In this land of white people

Celebrating their so-called Fourth of July

Waving their striped flags

I watch and try to imitate them

When inside I feel like I don't belong

I don't understand why

I was born here just like them

I grew up here just like them

I have the documents proving I'm an

"American"

I am practically the same

Except I'm not

I have reformed to their white culture

Practiced how to speak their language

Recited the sounds that an "American"

would say

Though a small part of me protests

Telling me I don't deserve all this

Maybe I really have become an American

The two argue over me

Pulling me apart like a game of tug of war

This is what happens everyday

Every day I live in the white man's land"