You don’t know me but you gave me a name.
You’ve never met me but you tell your friends about me.
You condemn me, blame me, accuse me but we were once in a crowd together,
cheering for the same team,
laughing together in the theater,
crying together at the funeral.
Celebrating. Grieving. Hoping. Encouraging. Believing. Together.
You don’t even know me but you gave me a name. You call me Other.
You know me well but now you won’t say my name.
We were classmates.
We were childhood sweethearts.
We were friendly rivals.
We were brothers and sisters.
We were fellow believers.
You know my name but you only call me Other.
I have skin color that is different than yours.
I hold political views that are different than yours.
I believe in a God that is different than yours.
I chose a path to healing my body that is different than yours.
I chose way to educate my children that is different than yours.
I speak a language that is different than yours.
I chose a way to bury my dead that is different than yours.
I cry just like you.
I love just like you.
I laugh just like you.
I dream just like you.
I hurt just like you.
I have red blood just like you.
I smile just like you.
Different than you. Just like you.
I. Am. You.
My name is Your Name.
