Kari Noelle
Haitian-American
Young
Black
In America
Like so many others
Every year full of excitement
Elation
Worry
Sadness
Fear
And many more feelings
But something is different
The fear that I have felt in the past is different today
I would usually fear not doing well on a test
Or not doing well when talking or performing in front of people
Now, I cannot rest
For I fear
For my brother
My god-siblings
God-parents
Cousins
Friends
Aunts
Uncles
My parents
I fear for my family
Black in America
They could be judged
Lose their jobs
Lose their home
Be hurt
Lose their freedom
Lose their lives
Black in America
This is the struggle I have
A struggle embedded in my identity
Haitian-American
Young Black
In America
Kari Noelle
