Yesterday I worked with a group of Year 7 students at Plashet Schoool, where we wrote poems exploring their perceptions of British identity. Using Benjamin Zephaniah's poems 'The British' and 'Neighbours' as inspiration, the students thought about the ways in which 'Britishness' forms their own identity (or not). I'd like to share the following amazing poem, which was produced during the sessions
Poem by Fatima
I am the type of person
who haunts you in your sleep.
Black and Muslim -
how much worse can you get.
I appear in front of doors
I watch you in your bed
I swing with monkeys
and jump on trees
When the sun rises darkness appears
the spirit of me bringing all types of fear.
But when I arrive
in the classroom
you'll learn to love
my unique personality.
I play sports
watch TV
talk in school.
You should feel good
I'm just another person.
