I am not different
from the other people of my race
I am not more articulate
More educated
More urbane.

I am not an example
of what they could be
if they only tried harder.
If they were more educated.
If they worked harder.
If they valued education.
If they were more like me.
If they moved out of the ethnic enclave.

I am not an oddity
for speaking English so well
for being able to read and write
like my parents before me.
You speak slowly, asking
Do … You … Speak … English?
I speak English
but it is a matter of chance
not a matter of pride.

I am not different
because I speak my mind
I have the feeling
you just haven’t been listening to any of us.