Apparently,
I’m a nerd,
I can’t play sports,
I eat dogs,
I’m bad at driving,
I can’t speak English.
Because I am Asian,
Apparently.

Apparently,
I am not as respected,
even though my English is fine,
even though my appearance is clean and modest,
even though I treat others with respect.
Because I am not Caucasian,
Apparently.

Apparently,
I am weak,
I cannot support a family on my own,
my work is valued less,
I should be quiet,
docile,
obedient,
submissive,
I should stay at home,
cook the meals,
watch the children.
Apparently,
I am never the hero.
Because I am a woman,
Apparently.

Apparently,
Unless there is change,
Society will continue to judge me by what I am not, and what it thinks I am,
Until I'm crying in rage,
Until I’m screaming that I am what I am, and more than what I'm not,
Until I’m suffocating in the chokeholds of my blind assessors,
Until I’m gagging against the noose of stereotypes that tightens around my neck even as I scream, silencing me slowly.

Apparently.