I am extra careful because I do not want anyone to say
That people of my community behave a certain way
That particular negative stereotype I want to avoid at all cost
Otherwise the hard work I have put into assimilation would be lost
Of the chasm between the two cultures I am acutely aware
Every interpersonal interaction I handle with great care
*
Sometimes when I’m tired or stressed, the mask does slip
And my usual process of double-checking my behavior I skip
Unfortunately, I then act in a manner that mirrors the stereotype
And my carefully cultivated persona gets wiped
*
Whether the stereotypes are justified or not is a question
Too complex to answer, requiring a separate discussion
But criticism against my community is hard to bear
That is why I monitor my behavior with care
