Scrutinized down upon because I was raised in southern valleys.
Coiled faces, betrayal, and hatred-filled eyes as if I was an unidentified creature from Star Wars.
Negatively judged because my grammar doesn’t adequately qualify in the list of “requirements.”
Through it all, apprehensively, I will overcome!

Yes, me. De’Ondra Jae Fletcher.
Beautiful, intelligent, and assiduous.
The African American from Mississippi.
I will overcome!

The glares, the chuckles, the callous names
Feeling beneath my peers because I do not communicate in their "proper" lingos.
“My uniqueness will take me places!” I repeatedly say.
I will do whatever it takes! I will overcome!

I will not acquire the standards of my stereotype.
Viewed as an ignorant adolescent because my pronouns and antecedents do not agree?
That will not be me! I will alter my imperfections,
And me, yes me! I will overcome!