A Response

In response to "I am Afraid of Americans" by VIto

You speak of My God

as if there were only one.

As if the three hundred

million different parts of me

were in agreement.

You speak of my opinion

as if it rings from sea to sea

in a shining unified chorus -

as if I am not conflicted.

You speak of my tradition

as if I do not have many.

You speak of my shame,

as if everything that I am

should be repentant.

I find it charming,

that you are polite enough to ignore

the cracks forming along the

surface of my reputation.

United is my first name

and my Fathers would shudder

if they knew how unfitting

that name was becoming.

Lastly,

you speak of my beliefs,

my attacks,

my hatred,

my ignorance,

and my hypocrisy.

You tell me I am “no better.”

But sir,

are you?