My Name Is Sawyer but They Call Me Black

Nathaniel Sawyer 1993 (Marina CA)



I, too, have a name and it’s not black.

I am the black man they forget. They send me to blue colour jobs Although I can’t complain because it’s better than prison or death, But I laugh, I am educated and in debt but they used to beat people like me for my smart mouth. I grow strong as they mock my skin.

Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When I bring back Black Wallstreet. Nobody'll dare Say to me, “You’re only a black man,” Then.

Besides, They'll see how strong, intelligent, and beautiful I am And be ashamed—

My name is Sawyer, but they call me Black.
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Submitted on November 17, 2020

Modified on March 25, 2023

33 sec read
260

Quick analysis:

Scheme A X X X A
Characters 564
Words 109
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 1, 1, 1, 1, 1

Nathaniel Sawyer

I am passionate about community development and security. I have my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Spanish, with a concentration in psychology. I have extensive experience in the criminal justice field where I worked as a Corrections Officer. After receiving my degree, I felt strongly that I needed to use my experience and education to help serve vulnerable communities. This led me to join the US Peace Corps, where I worked in Quito Ecuador as a Youth and Family Development Specialist. I worked with the city municipality to fight child labor by supporting an organization called Hogar De Paz and implementing activities to support the safety of at-risk children, support their education, and teach them life skills. Most of the youths that I served were from impoverished and disadvantaged or immigrant families. After my experience with the Peace Corps, I decided to pursue my master’s degree in International Policy and Development (which is currently in progress at Middlebury Institute of International studies in Monterey CA). I am specializing in Human Trafficking, Human Security and Migration. By pursuing this degree, I am able to combine my desire to create safe communities, criminal justice experience, and my desire to see equity and community development. In addition to my studies, I’ve been pursuing volunteer work and employment that supports and builds up my passions. I have experience organizing many types of community events and advocating politically. Throughout my time in Monterey County I have developed a passion for the underserved in our community, and have consistently volunteered for the homeless community through various organizations as well as spending my own time and money to offer meals to the community when possible. Advocacy is my passion, and I live for the opportunity to serve my community, and country. more…

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