Regena Injodey
Judged by the outside.
Trapped in the beliefs we hold,
Ban calls for blood.
Constantly ignored for whom they are.
We are the same.
Blood, tear, urine and flesh.
99% same.
1% unique,
Beautifully diverse:
In views, values, beliefs and religions.
In skin colour, in country and in speech.
But the Inside, may not matter.
Why are you surprised?
Conflict occurs constantly,
Decrease dimness on domestic clashes.
We never learned.
Cries from children who’ve lost their fathers,
Cries from those who’ve lost their lives,
Judged from the outside
Others decide if we live.
Hate begins online.
Lives become on-the-line,
It spreads to various platforms.
Words. Words. Words. Inaction.
A single bullet that can be manned by hate,
Can decide our fate.
Even if we did not do what others have done,
We will still be gone.
Why I Wrote This Poem
It is my response to the mosque attacks that occurred earlier this year in Quebec City. In addition, this piece contains some personal resentment to the way, I’ve been treated as a person of colour. The piece instigates that no country, despite its reputation, is truly a “peaceful country.” There will still be clashes, there will still be issues amongst various ethnic groups of people. It refers to humanity, despite all our beliefs, the concept of “do not judge me by the outside, but on the inside,” may be easier said than done.
Six innocent men were killed that day, due to an individual’s belief against immigration. But this is not the only instance that has arose. There are so many stories we don’t hear or see. Some experiences that have forever changed how we view others.
We are constantly being judged from the outside. Who we are on the inside is often ignored.
Author
