Trigger Warning: These pages may contain explicit language, adult themes and content that people may find upsetting. All views expressed in this blog are the Artist's own and do not represent the views, policies or opinions of the University of Worcester or any of its partners.
The 'Voices of Colour' project enables students to showcase work that explores identity and experience. It also offers a unique perspective of both the person’s past and present, alongside future hopes and ambitions. Literature and Art have the power to resonate with diverse groups of people and promote cultural exchange and dialogue, giving you the chance to understand the unique experiences of the creators.
Ray Vincent-Mills
Ray is a third-year Creative Writing and Screenwriting student at the University of Worcester. Their poem embodies their experience as a mixed-race person in British society, and how they are used as the gatekeeper to pardon the prejudicial beliefs of others. They explore the stereotypes and expectations that others have placed on them; the everyday racial profiling and the hypocritical defensiveness of discriminatory behaviour.
"It is odd to be raised by a white woman"
When you are not one.
When everyone looking at you,
Expecting
A
Loud voice
A
Waagwarn
A
Draw
An opinion
On the N word
And whether I say it
Whether they can
With eager eyes and misleading lips.
When all the want is
A
Token
Of my appreciation
A
Lesson
On Biggie
On Tupac
To floor them with my moves
When really, I just have a lot of dance in my body
Pining to be set free.
If we were black they’d take us
I mean!
Asian
I mean they all know each other don’t they
The taxi drivers
With their curry stained directory
Penny pinching teeth
&
Lightbulb limbs.
I mean
No
I’m not racist
I work with
The Portuguese
Fleet around the polish
All the foreigners
Talk to me like I’m their fruit bowl
I’m not racist
I’m not racist
I’m not racist
I’m not, Ray.
If you would like more information about Creative Writing at Worcester or to submit some work to these pages please contact Dr Jack McGowan