Empathy, Bigotry & Marginalization
05/27/2020
Down Where I Belong
Marginalization Through Language
“Some scars don't hurt. Some scars are numb. Some scars rid you of the capacity to feel anything ever again.”
—
Marginalization can take on many variations; though differing, they still leave a chronic wound. From these very wounds, I have acquired scars, the scars that cloud my conscience eternally. After each scar, I ponder the lesson I have learned; with consequence comes a lesson to be learned, and with each lesson, I think, why bother? This is why I take no action, but in the end, I feel like a smiling Ceaser with a dagger logged through his back. It was in a call with one of my closest friends, which I gained meaning to the past analogy. I was between a feeling of betrayal and disappointment, and in the midst of things, I was coarsening myself to believing it didn't matter, but through this storm, the outcome was silence.
"Sup n****s, I'm back," he interjects as I was in the midst of conversation. After leaving the call for whatever errand he had to run, he came in with that, followed by "Aww man, I just used my n-word pass, now I can't say it anymore." As I was only playing video games with another friend, I was caught off guard on how easily I could feel so vulnerable, so marginalized. In that instant, I went blank as I listened to the two converse with each other on the call. My silence was distinct, and I had every intention for it to be so. I thought that discomfort in the call would lead to remorse, for if that could be brush off so quickly, I would wonder, what did I really look like to them, white? Then, nothing, nothing at all happened, so I lied and said that I had accidentally muted my microphone and pretended all that took place in the last five minutes had been addressed, but the still the memory leaving a scar.
I find myself questioning why I bound myself to these chains; why do I even care? I have every reason to believe whoever is reading this has at one point, or another said the word, and I can't say I don't believe that. Though it doesn't bother me, and I find when I hear it from other races in the media, I laugh, so why does it still bother me then? I frankly don't know, but what I do know is how it made me feel insignificant, marginalized.
Ask for why I felt insignificant, because of feelings that transcend beyond me.
This is really tough to write about and you did that well. I really like the analogies and metaphors you used like I feel like a smiling Ceaser with a dagger logged through his back.
Posted by: Rory Kennealy | 02/21/2020 at 06:21 AM
This was a well written piece, not only because of the thoughtful and balanced use of smilies, but also the intensity of your experience. I especially liked the comparison of the marginalizing comments to wounds soon to be scars because it’s just so accurate; a wound may not seem like much after it happens, but scars rarely heal fully, just as a first hand experience with marginalization won’t.
Posted by: Nick Brady | 02/21/2020 at 11:23 AM
This is rough story to tell. It takes courage to reflect upon yourself and go over rough times, it is saddening that people take issues like this lightheartedly. Good job on this
Posted by: Eli Zahavi | 02/21/2020 at 11:30 AM
This story is one that is hard to write about. It was brave of you to get this story out and I and many other people applaud you for that. You described the experience in detail so we could all understand it. Great job.
Posted by: Sean L | 02/23/2020 at 05:05 AM
Yoni once again you have created a true masterpiece of writing. This story was one of a lost if trust and oppression and the way you told it made me feel lie I was right there with you. The wounds and scars you talk about are deep cuts that hard to be forgotten, especially coming from such a close friend, but the way that you used some comedy to lighten the story a little made you the stronger person. If you are still friends with that person, hopefully they don't use that word again. This piece was great, Amazing job.
Posted by: Max LG | 02/23/2020 at 11:45 AM
Comparing your encounters to scars is a very powerful way of describing your past experiences. This is a piece of writing that is quite hard to talk about with anyone and I think you did an amazing job illustrating how it felt to be marginalized. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Will S. | 02/23/2020 at 02:02 PM
The metaphors you used in the first paragraph and the hook you provided was awesome.
Posted by: Colin Soukup | 02/23/2020 at 04:29 PM
You had an extremely powerful first paragraph that truly drew the reader in, and perfectly followed the rule, no one cares about you like Fitz puts it, and I’m sure everyone would have been drawn in after that first paragraph. I also loved the great use of metaphors.
Posted by: William O'Malley | 02/23/2020 at 06:47 PM
Your first paragraph was extremely powerful. Like I said before with Oliver, you really had me “turning the pages” reading your paragraph. You’re use of metaphors, really topped off the entire piece. Great Job!
Posted by: Dylan | 02/23/2020 at 06:58 PM
This was a very tough piece to write, and you nailed it. You took a experience that would scar anyone, and created a story. You used great vocabulary and great writing techniques. Nice job!
Posted by: Ethan Rich | 02/24/2020 at 02:56 PM
This story is extremely well-written. Everything from your punctuation to your vocabulary to your way of stringing words together; I don’t think that you have a single weak point in your writing. One sentence that I especially liked was this one: “My silence was distinct, and I had every intention for it to be so.” This sentence sent chills down my spine. Another great piece, Yoni.
Posted by: Oliver Ali | 02/25/2020 at 11:59 AM