"My name is Joy Miller and I will let the poem speak to who I am. But know it was written in response to oppression and hate. And to remind myself and others that institutional transformation is a long and difficult battle that occurs one small step at a time."
Your eyes refuse to meet mine
My crazy hair scares you
My eyebrow ring reminds you of what you don't know
My tattoo reminds you that change is permanent
When you see me
You see all that I am
I am a lover of all colors
I am a lover of women
I am a lover of the silenced
I am a lover of the voiceless
I am a lover of the working class
I am a lover of the poor
I am a lover of ambiguity
I am a lover of the struggle for justice
I am a lover of peace
I am a lover of students and all their possibilities
I am the change I want to see in the world
I teach my students to believe they too can be change
Maybe that is why you hate me so
Because with my crazy hair, my shining brow, my tornado tattoo
You see the change you could have been in the world
And for that you hate yourself
But it is easier to hate me
Hate me if you must
But know
Know I do not hate you
Know that I will continue to be change
Know that justice is on my side
Know that peace is in my heart
Know that in my eyes there is love
And that is the opposite of hate
And the opposite of you
And maybe that's why ---
Your eyes refuse to meet mine
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