Labels

Labels, 2010 V. Ortiz Vazquez Girl, teenager, young adult, woman Hispanic, Latina, Puerto Rican Sister, aunt, godmother Lesbian, woman of color How important are these labels? Why use them to define myself? Better, use to be boxed within brackets Brackets many times use to oppress me and those a like Box me Reduce at time, close to nothingness Trap within groups Recycling stereotypes, unfairness Idiotic Other times, forgotten I am a woman A Puerto Rican woman that is I am a daughter A Puerto Rican daughter, know this Born to privileges that do not really exist I am a Puerto Rican woman who loves another woman Rights denied Ignorance still prevail in 2010 I am brown skinned How important is this? I don’t know, Do you? Yet, I will not trade the following: Daughter, aunt, godmother, woman of color, Puerto Rican They provide an experience taken for granted by many At times an understanding that others dream off A strength given, passed down Not forced or taken I am the labels you love to hate I am the labels you hate to love