Mama, What's A Slur? Poem by Michelle Hanes

Mama, today
I got into a fray
With this mean white boy
During recess, over a toy

He called me this weird word
It sounded so absurd
He called me a Bagel-dog
So I called him back a hog

Teacher didn't yell at him
But yelled at me during gym
I don't know what his word meant
But I got his intent

Nana, earlier
I saw this kid, plenty burlier
Than I was and he said
That I was a Red

What's a Red Sea Pedestrian?
It's a fancy word like an equestrian
That means something different
Sorta like a referent

He also called me a Goldie boy
Now he started to just annoy
Me with all these weird things
Talking above me like kings

Papa, yesterday
I got into a fray
With a girl, who was sorta small
Over the last bouncy ball

I didn't want to bully her
But with what she said, it's how things were
She said I was a Crikey kid
I went to tell the teacher but she forbid
Me from ever going to recess again
So she sat me down with a pen

From my desk, I had to write
These words and in my fright
I just wrote in my scrawl
That porkies don't deserve the ball

Mama, why do I get called such a name?
What have I done to get such blame?
Why am I a Bagel dog? Why am I a Crikey?
Why I am a Goldie? Why am I a Porky?

Is it from the blue pillow on my bed?
Or the kipoh that sits on my head?
Because I wear red shoes on my feet?
Or that when I walk I avoid the main street?
I just don't get all this!
All I want is some bliss!
And they keep starting up strife!
Just let me live my life!

I don't want to not play!
I want to go to recess everyday!
Like all the other kids, treat me the same!
Mama, why am I always the one to blame?