Thank You For Listening

To you, I appear indifferent

My brown hair, hazel eyes, and pale skin automatically define me

Being privileged means I don't understand

Means I will never understand

You think I don't listen to what you have to say

That I sit with my knees to my chest and drown out your words

Counting down the minutes until class is dismissed

When I can continue on with my perfect pleasant life

But you are wrong

So very wrong

I want nothing more than to absorb your thoughts

Accept your experiences as valid

To learn from you

You don't see this

Because to you, I am indifferent

Today, you silenced me

I pointed out your contradictions

And you faltered

Unprepared to hear the thoughts in my head

You would never know, but I've been listening

Hearing every word you've spoken these past 4 weeks

I am not your enemy

You are your enemy

Proven by your countless contradictions

And unwillingness to see them

I just want to help

Help you understand

I am not against you

My words are just as valid as yours

But you don't recognize this

Because I oppress you with my indifference

But I am not indifferent

You do not have the right to reject me

To blow over my comments, my thoughts, my concerns

Who are you to decide what is significant

Your words or mine?

I am the outsider

Without allies in this 'safe space'

Listen to me

Hear me

Because I've been listening to you

Not judging you

Accepting you

My brown hair, hazel eyes, and pale skin don't make me indifferent

They make me white

You are black

They are hispanic

But I am white

And brave

And open

And curious

I am listening

You are the contradiction

And I am not indifferent