Roots

my people my people I can’t be lost

when I see you my compass

is brown & gold & blood

This excerpt from Fatimah Asghar's "If They Should Come for Us" is a beautiful portrayal of the power of kinship to overcome prejudice. Repeating "my people" the author emphasizes the unity she feels amongst fellow Muslims. The symbol of a compass is carefully chosen to relate to how much of Asghar's life has been spent without love after being orphaned at the age of 5. As an immigrant female poet who is in need of a supportive community, her identity as a Muslim is what connects her to others, at least at first glance. Her compass is what tells her "the way," and it primarily points towards those whose struggle she recognizes and empathizes with. It may not even be a shared struggle but a shared experience that brings her closer to others. Why does it all matter? In the United States, Muslims still struggle to be seen as equals. Victims of profiling and discrimination, Muslims, like Asghar have come to realize that only together do they rise up to face adversity. Each of their internal compasses can allow them to find each other and supersede society's derogatory expectations of Muslims. Direction can lead them to fortitude and unity. My personal experiences extend from always seeking out other Indians -- whether it'd be on the playground or in class -- and I feel stronger having the as a support system to back me. The commonality between others and myself has made me feel more comfortable in the environment, and it ultimately brought me back to my roots.