I Worry You...

I worry you…
I worry you because
You don’t know who I am
I worry you because
I am like them
I share their culture
I share their religion, their race
But do I share their compassion?

I worry you…
I worry you because
You don’t know who I am
I am not like you
I don’t believe the same as you do
I don’t dress like you
I don’t share your religion, politics, or race
But do I share your compassion?

I worry you, you say
But did you know you worry me too
For you are not like me and I am not like you

You worry me…
You worry me because
You don’t know who I am
You see me on the street and say I look like them
You stereotype me
You whisper behind my back
Now I ask you again do you share my compassion? Do I share yours?
You don’t know because you don’t know me
You only know what you want to see

I may look like them
I may share their religion
I may share their politics and race
But it does not mean I am them
You would not know that though
Just as I could not say I know you, what you think, or what you do

So next time perhaps…
Instead of whispering behind my back
Because I look a certain way
Maybe you’ll try to give me a chance otherwise…
You worry me as much as I worry you