Because our participating poets have been shaken by the unrest that has surfaced across our country in recent days, we have decided to reschedule our Poetry Slam focusing on education for a later date. However, I will be posting poetry by local poets regularly on my campaign Facebook and website. Tonight, Aza Tara Elizabeth Games is our featured poet. Here is her poem, “It's Not Personal. It's Just Politics”:
It’s not personal. It’s just politics. Since when did knowing before I knew, that if I ever wanted to marry a woman - I probably wouldn't be able to, because some people didn't think it was right to love-
It's not personal. It's just politics.
Since when did being unsure if I could keep a job, because I don't fall under some protections, and my job maybe doesn't have to provide health-
It's not personal. It's just politics.
Since when did being afraid to walk down the street at twilight in the city, because I don't know what's around the corner, and if there-
How is being looked at like I'm a danger, because I have scars, and all school shooters have mental illnesses and-
It's not personal. It's just politics
How is being told what I can and cannot do with the form I was born in because a bunch of-
It's not personal. It's just politics.
How is being told the only good one is a dead one -
It's not personal. It's just politics.
But, if you vote for then -
It's not personal! It's just politics!
Except it is personal-
It's not personal. It's just-
All these things, are things that chip away at my rights-
It's not personal. It's-
Tell me I am less than you, because I am different in a way that you do not like.
It's not personal.
It is personal! Because when you tell me, you support or will vote for someone who is calling for the dehumanizing of me-
It's not-
And everyone else who shares a label you use and deem scary, bad, sinful. Inferior. Undeserving of the same rights, and respects as you. You are saying that even if you won't participate, you will sit back and let It happen.
It's-
Personal. It's politics.