Abstract
This poem confronts the enduring impact of systemic racism and the internalized notions of inferiority imposed on Black folks in education and beyond. It reflects the lived experience of navigating microaggressions, stereotypes, and assumptions in academic spaces where Black excellence is often questioned or undermined. The speaker challenges perceptions of worth and rejects biases cloaked in "white saviorism. " The poem critiques historical and contemporary narratives that equate intelligence or achievement with whiteness and calls for self-recognition and pride, urging Black youth to reject internalized oppression and societal constraints. The poem culminates in a powerful reclamation of agency, asking the pointed question: "Inferior to who?" This poem is meant to be heard, we recommend you click the audio link while reading.
Recommended Citation
Maxwell-Garcia, D. (2025). Inferior to Who?. Black Educology Mixtape "Journal", 3(1). Retrieved from https://repository.usfca.edu/be/vol3/iss1/18