Biology class teaches us about pathogens–
Pathogens, lurking, unseen and small.
They cause diseases,
Moving from place to place, causing catastrophe.
But they’re not all that bad.
Science tells us how, without pathogens, there would be no vaccines.
No vaccines means even more catastrophe.
I guess they’re not always who they’re meant to be.
South Asians? No, they’re all just Indian–
Unsanitary, unhygienic, threats to public health, threats to the public. “They’re all just the same,” they say.
“Get them a bar of soap”
“Stay away from them”
“Terrorist”
Pathogens are invisible, just like Bangladeshis
They are reduced to stereotypes. If only they saw us for who
we are and what we do.
We could do good, but they won’t care—
they only look at us when trouble appears.
The blame of one is placed on us all.
Viewed as dangerous is a complete 180 to who we are
We won’t hurt you. We’ll welcome you–
yet no one believes us.
Things are not always who they appear to be
So I go outside with a brave face, but not too brave. I don’t want attention—
I want to protect myself from the harsh ideas
that float around me.
So I go outside and defy the stereotypes.
“You’re Indian” they say, yet I say “I’m not”
Creating a vaccine takes time, trial, and persistence.
Once viewed as harmful now viewed as life-saving, oh how the tables have turned!
So I do the same.
