In this poem, I am trying to show my experience as an inter-racial adoptee. As a woman of color who was adopted by a white, privileged family, I experience the world in a very unique way. Navigating social settings can be hard for someone like me; the identities I hold close have become an intersectional landscape that is hard to navigate from time to time. Through this piece of poetry, I hope to reach out to other inter-racial adoptees navigating their own journey in life, finding purpose and meaning.
In the intricate tapestry of life, the thread I possess is unique,
A person of color in a white family’s grand design,
Adoptions embrace, a chill settles in,
I’m becoming cold.
Complex layers of privilege,
A belonging unfound,
Privilege drapes over my body, invisible
but the rewards are fruitful.
A space for me in this world is among faces I will never understand...
How could I?
In this tapestry, my colorful thread is embedded in fluffy eggshell yarn.
Underneath, I navigate public spaces while confronting the complexity of my existence.
A woman of color with privilege sewn in,
I have become an advocate, my voice becoming more defined.
I get to bridge a divide, to cultivate empathy’s grace.
For a world where ALL may find their rightful place.