Stereotypical - Slam Poem

Mentality running through minds.
Everyone’s minds.
Even Mine.
I wish it wasn’t there.
Subconsciously directing me.
Every day. All the time.
Changing my perception of you,
But mostly changing your expectation for me.
The guidelines we all follow.
Because I’m part of ‘we’.
The stereotype of ‘them’.
Becoming a faceless mob.
Identity lost.
Don’t you see,
In society,
You’re only what other people believe?
You’re never you,
Not on the outside.
Not to onlookers.
Expectations to be the same.
Supposed to be the same.
Handed a personality.
You can’t  push it aside.
Here, take it.
It’s your new you.
So now you can be part of ‘we’.
Happy?
No. Not when I have to conform.
When I have to be the same.
There’s an Asian.
Math. Piano.
That’s what they think of me.
Not my name.
Never my name.
Because I’m still ‘them’.
Still following the guidelines.
Still living the life society expects.
Stuck with judgmental people.
Always judging.
Even when they don’t know they are.
That’s how strong the mentality is.
Who are you to judge me?
Apparently you are the one to judge me.
Because it’s not just your opinion.
You speak for many.
And your words are tearing individuality apart.
Your thoughts have become the majority.
Your opinions made it into the media.
Your labels stuck.
Congratulations.
When I don’t conform I’m different.
Too different.
And sorted.
Into a group with others.
Others who are supposedly like me.
That’s what everyone believes.
We couldn’t be more unique.
But that’s something you’ll never see.
Because you refuse to see through the belief.
And you don’t even know where it started.
Or how it started.
But you believe it because it’s everywhere.
Spreading fast, like a disease.
And you’re just along for the ride.
But I don’t think you know.
How many lives you’re changing.
With a few words.
And thoughts coming through loud and clear.
7 billion judges.
The world isn’t a safe place.
We will never be safe from your stereotypes.
7 billion people to judge.
Is it fun?
Fun to tell people what they’re supposed to do?
7 billion people who could break the mentality.
But don’t.
And I can’t figure out why.