"Prejudice" by Elizabeth Ochoa
To me, prejudice seems to be seldom said,
It is written on bathroom walls,
Or is shown through angry eyes instead.

It is the unspoken language that is
Reflected on an unwanted difference:

Racial, prejudice be it can,
But one person of a race can be
Just as prejudice toward his fellow color
as he would of any other

All because of the difference
Between them that makes them
What they are.
I can see prejudice felt by the
Rich and Poor.

I can see prejudice felt by the
Good and Bad.

And I can see prejudice felt by
Friends and enemies.

I can see prejudice. I don't
Want to see it any more.

Everyone is different as he is meant to be;
The difference is good if you ask me.

But if there is something special about
Somehting or someone,
Then why is there prejudice felt
Toward it or him?
Prejudice toward man is fear in
It's simplest form.

Prejudice is affraid to be around
Something new or unknown,

For it fears the unusual
Might take over and rule.
It could be between countries,
Or relationships of an individual.

I hope some day the silence will end,
But if it does, I don't think
The Differences will know where
To begin.
At age 15, Elizabeth Ochoa (the web master) wrote her first poem, titled "Prejudice," to fulfill the assignment from her Canadian English teacher to write an original poem concerning prejudice. The web master recently found this poem, digging through some stuff. "Prejudice" copyright 1980, 1999 by Elizabeth A. Ochoa. All rights reserved.
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