Writing from the Inside
De Paul University
Fall 1990
Teacher: Zoe Keithley
All men are created equal EXCEPT …
-If you are black. If so, you must walk around each day feeling THEM look at you with that condescending look. You can’t hide it ever. THEY always know who you are. How long will it be before the “Dream” of freedom is fulfilled?
-If you are a woman. You must walk with fear in any place where men may be. You must always be on the defensive; you must always protect yourself. You never know which ones are the protectors and which are the abusers. You must always be aware of not enticing THEM because otherwise, the system will blame you for what THEY do. You cannot hide what you are either; THEY always know you are female. How long must women fight for equality?
You must repress and deny their abuse and oppression of your sexuality – your very humanness. If you don’t how can you go on each day? Where do you escape to? You can’t even protect yourself from an abusive husband; the self-defense law wasn’t written to include you.
-If you are gay. You can hide somewhat if you are not an effeminate male or a butch female; some of you can hide. If you don’t hide you must then face THEIR disapproval, disdain, and disgust; THEY fear and hate you. It deeply affects your world. You just want to be free to be who you are. Is that asking too much?