Author: Albana Baftiri
What she chooses to show to the world is so little
But she lets on that it is so much
As her true colors, she is afraid to be judged
She was never afraid before
She grew up in the “hood”
She was tough to the bone
Everyone loved her personality and who she was
She couldn’t give a damn if they didn’t
That was her true self; flaws and all
Here she flourishes in her classes
Her giggle permeates the room
But she’s afraid
Afraid if they found out her hidden identity
What that would do to her family business
She can’t risk it all
That is their livelihood
If she had enough money to support a family of 7
She would showcase all her quirks and idiosyncrasies
And her hidden identity
But she doesn’t and so she can’t
She suppresses an integral part of her
She even feigns another identity, so she can relate to people
Can’t be judged if you’re one and the same
One day they’ll ask her to prove it and that’s when she’ll tell them
Until then, she uses her intelligence to dissuade suspicions and perpetuate the lies
It’s the safest way in an unaccepting world
-A Muslim Girl in Trump Territory
