In Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Encyclopedia Brown —
I lived as white children that used logic and intelligence
To solve crimes and save the day.
On Guam, I am a normal brown boy
From an island that most people haven’t even heard about.
In the Babysitters Club —
Are you there God?
It’s me, Margaret, and Ameilia Bedelia.
I was white, black, Spanish, Jewish, and even French.
I lived life being a little different
Finding out that it was okay to be
White, black, Spanish, Jewish, French, and even weird.
On Guam, I am a normal brown boy
From an island that most people haven’t even heard about.
But —
Sometimes I am experiencing the same experiences as everyone else.
But —
I’m from an island.
In the Marvel and DC comics,
I am white, black, brown, Jewish, Asian, Muslim, Indian, Martian, French, Canadian, Mexican, elven, dwarf, hobbit, and —
Saving the planet from others that would seek to destroy it.
On Guam, I am a normal brown boy
From an island that most people haven’t even heard about.
I cannot save the planet —
I’m from an island.
In the movies,
On video games,
In TV shows —
I am white, black, Spanish, Mexican, Asian, Indian, alien, elf, dwarf, gnome —
Doing fantastic things
As far as the eye can see —
On Guam,
I am a normal brown boy
From an island that most people haven’t even heard about.
I have chores to do —
But wait!
Look at the islanders showing up in books and movies!
I can finally be in books, TV, and movies
As long as I wear Hawaiian print shirts and shorts or a wrap and be shirtless.
I can finally be Hawaiian or Samoan —
But I’m Chamorro —
I wear t-shirts and jeans.
I guess I just have to wait for someone to write about me.
©janderson
