{"id":2756,"date":"2021-06-10T14:25:30","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T18:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/?p=2756"},"modified":"2025-07-25T12:45:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T16:45:21","slug":"millennials-voices-poem-hashtag-concrete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/2021\/millennials-voices-poem-hashtag-concrete\/","title":{"rendered":"[Millennials\u2019 Voices] Poem: Hashtag Concrete"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        [Millennials\u2019 Voices] Poem: Hashtag Concrete\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><em>By Tyreike Reid<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"hashtag-concrete\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hashtag Concrete<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"the-only-thing-stronger-than-the-bullets-hitting-the-floor\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The only thing stronger than the bullets hitting the floor<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"maybe-if-my-skin-was-made-of-concrete\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maybe if my skin was made of concrete<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"i-wouldnt-have-to-fight\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">I wouldn\u2019t have to fight<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"maybe-if-my-bones-were-made-of-concrete\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maybe if my bones were made of concrete<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"i-wouldnt-have-to-run\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">I wouldn\u2019t have to run<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"crawl-into-tiny-spaces-where-i-am-rejected\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crawl into tiny spaces where I am rejected<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"filling-rooms-that-do-not-want-me\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Filling rooms that do not want me<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"smiling-and-laughing-with-those-who-oppress-me\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Smiling and laughing with those who oppress me<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"sharing-food-and-drinking-wine-with-those-who-wish-to-hurt-me\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sharing food and drinking wine with those who wish to hurt me<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"in-these-spaces-friends-and-enemies-are-blurred\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">In these spaces friends and enemies are blurred<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"in-these-cities-that-i-try-to-make-my-home\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">In these cities that I try to make my home<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"real-life-transforms-itself-into-virtual-reality\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Real life transforms itself into virtual reality<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"i-crawl-between-the-spaces\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">I crawl between the spaces<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"between-the-wires\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Between the wires<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"between-the-sizzling-sounds-of-computer-systems\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Between the sizzling sounds of computer systems<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"trying-to-find-home\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trying to find home<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"trying-to-find-my-concrete\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trying to find my concrete<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"my-concrete-starts-in-the-east\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">My concrete starts in the east<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"and-ends-in-the-deepest-parts-of-social-hierarchies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">And ends in the deepest parts of social hierarchies<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"my-concrete-starts-in-the-east-and-turns-left-on-community-development\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">My concrete starts in the east and turns left on community development<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"my-concrete-starts-where-those-choose-not-to-go\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">My concrete starts where those choose not to go<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"where-we-struggle-to-climb-the-tallest-ladders\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where we struggle to climb the tallest ladders<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"where-we-dream-of-coming-face-to-face-with-him\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where we dream of coming face to face with him<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"the-man\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The man<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"tall-and-6-foot-two\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tall and 6 foot two<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"pale-skin-and-wears-a-shiny-suit\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pale skin and wears a shiny suit<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"makes-the-rules-and-laughs-at-you\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Makes the rules and laughs at you<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"where-we-dream-of-asking-him-why\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where we dream of asking him why<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"is-it-because-of-my-hair\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it because of my hair?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"the-color-of-my-skin\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The color of my skin?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"or-the-way-i-chant-and-i-sing\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Or the way I chant and I sing?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"where-we-dream-of-asking-him-why\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where we dream of asking him why<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"is-it-because-of-my-road-my-hood-my-blues\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it because of my road, my hood, my blues?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"or-the-way-i-stand-up-yelling-dont-shoot\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Or the way I stand up yelling don\u2019t shoot.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"my-concrete-stands-in-solidarity\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">My concrete stands in solidarity<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"but-we-hide-in-isolation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">But we hide in isolation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"hide-from-those-who-do-not-understand\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hide from those who do not understand<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"what-its-like-not-belonging-to-this-land\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What it\u2019s like not belonging to this land<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"hide-from-those-who-wish-to-tell-our-story\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hide from those who wish to tell our story<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"without-understanding-our-history\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Without understanding our history<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"black-blue-and-bruised-are-the-ones-who-came-before-us\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Black, blue and bruised are the ones who came before us<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"channeling-their-hymns-their-spoken-words\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Channeling their hymns, their spoken words<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"dancing-to-the-beat-of-their-drums-underneath-the-blazing-sun\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dancing to the beat of their drums underneath the blazing sun<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"holding-on-to-their-chains\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Holding on to their chains<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"silver-and-cold\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">silver and cold<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"grasping-at-the-idea-of-strength\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grasping at the idea of strength<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"a-word-and-feeling-so-bold\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A word and feeling so bold<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"making-sure-their-concrete-collides-with-ours\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making sure their concrete collides with ours<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"making-sure-that-our-concrete-is-written-in-those-stars\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making sure that our concrete is written in those stars.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"retelling-our-story-over-and-over-again\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Retelling our story over and over again<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The use of social media has been beneficial to many oppressed people. Many groups have used social to their advantage by using hashtags such as Black Lives Matter to effectively sign off on a statement or unify messages and users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I decided to write a poem in which I, as a Black male, could effectively use my words and carry out a message without holding back any detail, much like one does when they are protesting and fighting for their rights. By incorporating hashtags into the poem, I hoped it would resonate with much of the protests and activism surrounding Black lives this past decade. The use of hashtags within my poem reflects the momentum and efforts that Black individuals, as well as BIPOC individuals, have taken this past decade, using the digital tools to secure their legitimacy both on and offline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The poem is also meant to highlight instances of class and classism. Throughout the poem, I refer to \u2018where I come from\u2019 going on to say that \u2018my concrete starts in the east and turns left on community development\u2019. I use this to highlight that race and class have become intertwined; one of the many ways Black individuals face oppression is through economic oppression. This intersectionality defines the Black lived experience for a vast majority of the community. Not only do Black folks have to worry about being subject to ridicule and oppression due to their race, but also because of their other identity traits such as gender and class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I use this poem as a way to fully embrace who I am and where I come from and to explain what it\u2019s like not being fully accepted by a land which you call home, and although we might not always be accepted by this land, we are always accepted by our community; community that is depicted as being filled with crime, violence, and poverty, but in reality, is filled with leaders, artists, and scholars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/BLM-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2342\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Through the creation of this poem, I am able to share only a piece of what it means to live in Black skin, and to capture what it means living through a system that continuously chooses to neglect its people. The main message through this medium is simple; we exist; people need to hear that there are communities who are struggling to heal, they are struggling because they are still being hurt. These are communities that are forced to find strength within their pain, rather than through the opportunities that should be given to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/Tyreike-photo.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2759\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/Tyreike-photo.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/Tyreike-photo-160x160.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/Tyreike-photo-240x240.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/Tyreike-photo-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/Tyreike-photo-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/Tyreike-photo-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/Tyreike-photo-360x360.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tyreike is a fourth-year student at Carleton University pursuing a double major in Communications and Political Science. Growing up in Toronto he was able to find a passion for the dramatic arts and creative writing. This passion has led to him using the arts to bring awareness to social injustices and oppression within BIPOC communities, particularly through his love of poetry. No matter the size of the stage and audience, Tyreike will always continue to share his art and activism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Tyreike Reid &nbsp; Hashtag Concrete The only thing stronger than the bullets hitting the floor Maybe if my skin was made of concrete I wouldn\u2019t have to fight Maybe if my bones were made of concrete I wouldn\u2019t have to run Crawl into tiny spaces where I am rejected Filling rooms that do not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[402,1,184,278],"tags":[377,394,364],"class_list":["post-2756","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-issue-7-reimagine-race","category-news","category-millennials-voices","category-special-issues","tag-blacklivesmatter","tag-alternative-media","tag-black-lives-matter"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2756","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2756"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2756\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3424,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2756\/revisions\/3424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2756"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2756"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/align\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}