In the first of our pieces marking the end of 2017’s Black History Month, Wales Arts Review is very excited to be the first to publish Dami Okhiria, a powerful new voice in Welsh poetry.
Why
Dami, why do you always have to talk about being black?
Because at 12 years and 3 months
I learnt that being black was apparently an issue.
Because at 12 years and 6 months I got my first unwanted nickname
Because I am black.
Why do I always have to talk about race?
Because it affects me when I almost get the wrong thing injected into my body because a receptionist and a nurse cannot tell two black girls apart in the way that she can tell two 5’6 white boys with blonde hair and blue eyes… apart.
Why do I always have to talk about race?
Because when I braid my hair in secondary school I’m teased and get a sprinkling of sawdust in my mother’s beautiful handiwork. And when I do it at university… I’m asked if Izzy (who’s been to Botswana once)… was my inspiration.
Race –
Is me having to carry the responsibility of teaching the people around me how not to offend.
It’s me not using the N-word simply so my white friends remember it’s not a word for them. But them not getting that message anyway
It’s the countless times I’ve been told to go back to where I came from and I don’t think they meant St Mellons
It’s the empty bus seat, when there are no more standing spaces. A standing ovation to my black hue… I assume.
Race?
Is having the colour of my skin hurled at me like an insult and me not feeling brave enough to even interrupt
It’s me feeling uncomfortable every time I talk about race, but understanding that I have to anyway.
Why do I always have to talk about race…?
Well, why don’t you?
~
My background is science and I’m currently studying to be a medical doctor. I got into poetry quite recently, I especially enjoy spoken word because I feel like I’m able to experience the poem as the author intended it. Writing is quite a new venture for me, I am really enjoying the journey and I’m excited to see where it takes me
This poem is formed from experiences, notes I left myself after micro-aggressions – I never intended for them to become anything. When a colleague asked the question that formed the first line of the poem, I guess it just happened. It goes some way to answer a question I’ve not always felt articulate enough to tackle. Why is not a closed piece, it is likely to grow and evolve as I do, based on my experiences.
It is an open invitation to examine the growing list of reasons why this dialogue is necessary and perhaps to question why you are not a part of it already.
