growth
For everyone it seems 2016 was their best year
and 2020 was their worst
Tell me why the exact opposite is true for me
In 2016 I was in 6th grade and I spend 3 months in rhode island
My whole summer bro
and rhode island sucks because
There’s absolutely nothing to do but bum around the mall
2020 has been a year of learning and growth
Learning the faults of your past
how you might of aided in someone’s oppressions or pain
that its ok to be wrong
And how to do better
that the best thing I could ask for
My grandma just found out capitalism is evil
Well, she’s not thoroughly convinced
but she’s learning about systemic racism
I hope everyone’s grandma who doesn’t even know how to properly use her phone is learning about the extents of racism
So many adults rather wade in their ignorance instead of just sitting down and reading a short article
Growing is constantly realizing that just because someone older than you doesn’t mean they’re smarter than you, and if they’re willing to listen
Teach them
Yasmine T., 17, goes to Whitney M Young Magnet High School. She enjoys helping others, and I do that through Youth for Black Lives. She also founded No Boyz Skate Club for people with lived misogyny experience to have a safe space to learn how to skate and hang with people of similar interests. “Writing is one of the many ways I express myself and topics I’m interested in, like social justice and the intersections of my identity.”
What made you write your poem, and how does it relate to your experiences during the pandemic?
I wrote my poem as part of a writing program. I was asked to write about personal experiences and stances on subjects important to me. The work I created through that has made me really happy at what I was able to accomplish with the right help. It related to my experiences during the pandemic because a lot of the realizations I had, happened during this time.
What do you want people to know about what you’ve endured this year?
I feel like everything I’ve had to endure this year was for the bettering of my character, and a lot of positive change will come from the disparities I’ve faced.
Between COVID-19, police brutality protests, job loss, parents and students working from home, there’s been a lot happening in 2020. Can you share a little bit about how your life has changed or been directly affected?
My mom owns a small business and she’s gone through a lot of stress and had to really throw herself into her work to make sure she gets through the recent changes. I’m extremely proud of her accomplishments and capabilities, because on top of that she is a single parent. I’ve spent a lot more time with my grandma while my mom works. It is hard for me while doing school work to be constantly moving between my home and my grandma’s. It’s also scary, because I don’t want to put my grandparents at risk of catching anything from me.
How has writing helped you this year?
Writing has helped me expand on my innermost thoughts to help me voice them to others around me. It has allowed me to be more open and more put together.
What do you hope a post-COVID world will look like?
I want to see huge changes. I hope the government can see how other countries have handled covid and follow suit. I also [hope] people are better at listening to others and educating themselves.
Anything else you want to say about your piece?
I really love these pieces and I hope to create better work in the future.
