I Am From by Lauren Yeobin Park

I am from fairytale books

From piano keys and metal fences

I am from the dusty shelves in the local library

(Mysterious, built by gnomes perhaps)

I am from buttercups behind the school

Whose abandoned swings showed no sign of welcome

I am from my Asian mother

From brown hair and black eyes

I am from Aretha Franklin

And the way she spoke of the world through her music

I am born out of religion

Though people say faith lasts longer

(Faith in the wise, faith in those older)

From ‘never give up’ and ‘stand tall’

From words that inspired us to be the best

I am from chopsticks and hanboks

Sewed to excellence

I am from Polaroid pictures hidden under bed covers

From arrays of colored pencils

Each a token of diversity

In the summer of 1993, George Ella Lyon, a freelance writer and teacher who is particularly interested in the poetry of witness, started to collect a series of “Where I’m from” statements. Her collection was inspired by the work of Jo Carson and her poem, “Stories I Ain’t Told Nobody Yet.” Her list rounded out into a collection of poetry that has inspired a movement of Where I am From writing. In order to “ find a way to celebrate diversity at a time when our country(world) is divided by hatred and fear” Lyon partnered with Julie Landsman to create the I Am From Project. Their stated goal: “We want to be heard, not herded; we want to speak, not be spoken at or for; we want to break through stereotypes, profiling, and dismissal to be listened to in our full humanity.” With the hope that through a “national river of voices, reminding America (us all) that diversity is our origin and our strength.” Information about the I Am From project can be found at: https://iamfromproject.com. This week we are highlighting a poem from the project archives by Lauren Yeobin Park. After reading her poem, think about where you are from. If you feel inspired, share your thoughts.