IN SPITE OF THE LIGHTS

Posted on December 29, 2017 by Kendall Fredrick Person

THEATRE thesis: In spite of my hopes and all that I’ve done, my greatest fear, has become my destiny. But even if it becomes law of the land and establishes a new world order, I am determined to….

Abstract Background w/ Grunge Metal Designed by Freepik

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Differences
by Makaih Beats

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TAG AN ANTHOLOGY VOL II
developed by Kendall F. Person
produced by The Neighborhood

ED. V MILLENNIALS
In Spite of the Lights
by Devereaux Frazier, An Aspergian’s Chemical Romance

In spite of the lights

I stare straight into the mist

In spite of the loud, crashing sounds

of industry and economy

I climb higher and higher out of the pit

In spite of the clocks resonating in my head

and the palpitations on my wrist

even the worst anxious breakdown, a good song can fix

In spite of the aggressive advances of the bold

the hubris of the bad

and the cunning of the brave

I can stand out from every single list

because I’m black

because I’m autistic

and when I turn on the flow, you might think I’m sick

but really I’m just flicking my wrists

and flipping you this

big bird, little bird, let all of you hear

even if they try to force us out

and box us in

you might’ve struck my greatest fear

but the runners high is near

and when I shed a tear

you think I’m down

but put your head up

cause the train is coming

and coming now

Determined to put our shame to rest

I write your verdicts, go ahead and test

my emotions and limits

but it’s a long lost bet

I’m trying to be the best at what I do

every day is a mess made

or a life saved

but without this brain it would be all a waste

an easily extinguished flame

you try to bring me down

but on these pages I punch back

now finally know what it’s like

to kiss the ground

and acknowledge the sumptuous sound

I may not be the leading man

and the stories I weave aren’t intricate

just true

not exciting

just raw

not normal

just me

and that’s the only way

I’ll ever be

As Americans, we’re supposed to be more advanced than much of the world. The standard that we’ve set for ourselves has led to incredible heights, but unfortunately many have gotten trampled for the sake of “development”. 2017 is drawing to a close, and the new year seeks to reek of the same foul essence of our fathers before us. Being black is still seen as being “less than”, and the race riots are quite simply minuscule distractions from the reality: division and diversion seems to be the law of the land. No matter how hard people try to “be in someone else’s shoes” and “act in solidarity”, the first thing people do when faced with an issue is take sides. That is a flawed mentality. Autism is just a spectrum of that side, and being both black and autistic, you can say I might get it worse than those who are either/or. Despite the misconceptions, false science, and ignorance of those on and off the spectrum, I am just like the person next to me, and they’re just like the person next to them. We are all human, we are all one. To find it and help another grow in that realization is why we’re here. Despite the bigots, racists, and supremacists that come from both spectrums, we must search our individual hearts and souls and find the strength to love our fellow man. There are walls that have been established for generations between black and white, “normal” and autistic, and every other sector, but no more. No matter what job you have, be determined to stand up not for your nationality, but for all walks of life.