White is a Color, Not a Definition | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Poetry
  3. Sonnet
  4. White is a Color, Not a Definition

White is a Color, Not a Definition MAG

November 8, 2009
By ggk92 SILVER, Sherborn, Massachusetts
More by this author
ggk92 SILVER, Sherborn, Massachusetts
5 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile

What the hell kind of question is that?
Please bubble in your race.
Am I white?
By default I suppose I am.
But that does not define me.
Is there another box, because if they want to know my race
they must also want to know that,
I have brown hair,
brown eyes,
and an attitude.

That I am naive,
All knowing,
Vain,
Humble,
Insane.

I am you,
Me,
We,
Him and her.

I am the one who gets inside your head.
The one who can tell you what you are going to do before you do it.
Your adversary,
Your internal conflict.
Your friend.
I am your passion, and your desire.
Everything and nothing.
Love and Peace.
The dreams you whisper into the darkness.
The glint of your smile.
The cascades of your tears.

I am satin and I am Gabriel.
Hope and despair,
Poverty,
Trust,
Wealth you could only imagine.
Generosity,
Power.

I am unknown,
And yet you know me.
Indefinable, and yet so obvious.

I am truth,
Screams,
Hate,
Starvation.

I am a war cry,
A protege,
a novice,
a believer,
a sinner.

I am a world.
A nation.
A female.
A single being.
I am human.
White, just doesn't seem to cut it.

© Brendan P., Carbondale, CO

Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar Articles

Previous Next
Poetry
Sonnet I
By Yackemflaber SILVER
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Yackemflaber SILVER, Brookfield, Wisconsin
6 articles 3 photos 2 comments
View profile
Poetry
I Wish
By greg9381 GOLD
Atlanta, Georgia
greg9381 GOLD, Atlanta, Georgia
12 articles 1 photo 50 comments
View profile
Poetry
"It Always Hurts"
By CiaoB3lLa GOLD
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
CiaoB3lLa GOLD, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
11 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile
Poetry
The American Bigotry
By VanillaRose BRONZE
Osceola, Indiana
VanillaRose BRONZE, Osceola, Indiana
4 articles 0 photos 3 comments
View profile
Poetry
You & Me
By bluemagnet22 PLATINUM
Dearborn Hts, Michigan
bluemagnet22 PLATINUM, Dearborn Hts, Michigan
24 articles 16 photos 644 comments

Favorite Quote:
You were born an origanal why die a copy?The secret to success is the consistency to pursue.To the world you may be one person,but to one person you may be the world.To receive the right answer,you must ask the right question.Don't worry be happy! :)

View profile
Poetry
Lost in Love
By bluemagnet22 PLATINUM
Dearborn Hts, Michigan
bluemagnet22 PLATINUM, Dearborn Hts, Michigan
24 articles 16 photos 644 comments

Favorite Quote:
You were born an origanal why die a copy?The secret to success is the consistency to pursue.To the world you may be one person,but to one person you may be the world.To receive the right answer,you must ask the right question.Don't worry be happy! :)

View profile

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 19 comments.

bewareofbunnyrabbits SILVER said...
on May. 7 2014 at 9:07 am
bewareofbunnyrabbits SILVER, Winona, Minnesota
8 articles 0 photos 86 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Empty yourself and let the universe fill you." -Yogi Tea

View profile
Wow. I REALLY like this. It's not typical to see this side of the issue expressed, because white people have privilege and rights, etc. and aren't a minority, but it is no less discriminatory to define someone based on being white than for being a different race. Awesome point, and awesome poem.
beautifulspirit PLATINUM said...
on Jun. 17 2013 at 4:23 pm
beautifulspirit PLATINUM, Alpharetta, Georgia
35 articles 0 photos 1398 comments

Favorite Quote:
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.<br /> --Eleanor Roosevelt

View profile
Breaktaking~ everything I wwnted to say---unsaid it all!
WinstonSmith BRONZE said...
on Jun. 4 2013 at 9:01 pm
WinstonSmith BRONZE, Columbia, Missouri
3 articles 0 photos 32 comments
View profile
This is a thoughtful piece.  
Zoya_Khan GOLD said...
on Dec. 23 2012 at 3:21 am
Zoya_Khan GOLD, Gujranwala, Other
19 articles 0 photos 420 comments

Favorite Quote:
Where LOGIC ends, FAITH begins.<br /> - Zoya Khan

View profile
Nice :) :) :)
Halcyon said...
on Jul. 7 2011 at 9:22 am
That was amazing!!!! Please write more!!!!
CowBell SILVER said...
on Jun. 29 2011 at 11:40 am
CowBell SILVER, Missouri City, Texas
6 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
Even if you fall on your face, you&#039;re still moving forward.<br /> ~Victor Kiam

View profile
That was an amazing piece! One of the best I've seen onTeen Ink. It was deep. I loved it *snaps for you*
to.hold.the.sun SILVER said...
on Apr. 15 2011 at 9:16 pm
to.hold.the.sun SILVER, Maryville, Tennessee
9 articles 0 photos 49 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking about how you&#039;ll escape it one day, and how awesome it will be, and imagining that future keeps you going, but you never do it. You just use the future to escape the present.&quot; -John Green

View profile
Wow. Just... wow. This left me completely speechless. I agree that pretty isn't the word; resounding is. I can tell you right now that every time I see a bubble to fill in "white/ non hispanic", I will think of this poem. Great, great, great job.
Alice Verlinden BRONZE said...
on Mar. 11 2011 at 3:41 pm
Alice Verlinden BRONZE, Michigan
1 article 0 photos 4 comments
View profile
This is legit poetry right here.
Taylor Shea BRONZE said...
on Jan. 27 2011 at 7:13 pm
Taylor Shea BRONZE, Seattle, Washington
2 articles 0 photos 1 comment
View profile
I can even say how much i appreciate this article. Thank you for putting alot of peoples feelings into words in such an eloquent way. 
the_crazy_one BRONZE said...
on Aug. 23 2010 at 5:47 pm
the_crazy_one BRONZE, San Jose, California
3 articles 0 photos 12 comments

Favorite Quote:
Be yourself, and do what you want, because those who matter don&#039;t mind, and those who mind don&#039;t matter.

View profile
Really good! I shared this with all my friends and they all loved it too. I like how you use antonyms. And I love the last two lines.
bluesky0728 SILVER said...
on Jul. 27 2010 at 11:57 pm
bluesky0728 SILVER, Phoenix, Arizona
8 articles 0 photos 107 comments
View profile
I've seriously recited that to myself 3 times in a row! I love it!! :)
bluesky0728 SILVER said...
on Jul. 27 2010 at 11:53 pm
bluesky0728 SILVER, Phoenix, Arizona
8 articles 0 photos 107 comments
View profile
omg that gave me goosebumps!!! Awesome, my sentiments exactly!!!!
alaskatrailmutt said...
on Jul. 15 2010 at 6:40 pm
alaskatrailmutt, Jefferson, Maryland
0 articles 0 photos 352 comments
View profile
Wow that was perfect! Way to go!
kailee313 GOLD said...
on May. 25 2010 at 10:14 am
kailee313 GOLD, Havelock, Other
11 articles 2 photos 7 comments
View profile
This is really well writen, great job, keep it up ! :)
ReflectionsofYou GOLD said...
on May. 21 2010 at 5:45 pm
ReflectionsofYou GOLD, Mason, Tennessee
10 articles 0 photos 107 comments
View profile
That's what I think too, but because we're not really considered a minority, I'm reluctent to bring it up. So good job on that:]
Cancion_de_hielo_y_fuego BRONZE said...
on May. 14 2010 at 9:06 am
Cancion_de_hielo_y_fuego BRONZE, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
1 article 0 photos 2 comments
View profile
This is a really deep heart-felt poem that expresses what you feel you really are. I like your use of extended metaphors:  it really draws the reader in.
BlueInk94 PLATINUM said...
on May. 3 2010 at 11:42 am
BlueInk94 PLATINUM, Valley Park, Missouri
30 articles 0 photos 75 comments
View profile
This is more than a poem..I love your wording. You take one simple thing and strecth it so everything deeper is visible. I also love your use of symbolism in describing self-characteristics of an average person.
Milo! said...
on Mar. 14 2010 at 7:28 pm
I really love this. I really like how everyone can relate to this. I hope you keep writing, because this is great. You should check out some of my stuff. I think you would like it.