I was taught to speak 

To share my opinions 

To engage with others 

To speak my mind and stand up for what is right 

I was taught to use my words 

Instead of my fists 

So I educated myself and I spoke up 

I talked past my insecurities and I used my voice 

I shielded myself from the outside world with my words 

All the insults that were thrown at me like spears

could just bounce off my shield of words 

But I look around sometimes 

And as I begin to speak 

I hear the people groan 

I see their eyes roll 

“Here she goes again” 

They say. 

So many times I’ve been told to sit down 

To be quiet 

To shut up 

To save it for later 

Told that my voice doesn’t matter 

That my opinion is irrelevant 

That my voice is irrelevant 

But still I speak 

I speak up 

And I talk 

And I share 

And I participate 

I use my voice as my weapon 

With quick wit 

And sharp comebacks 

I cut down my opposers 

I don’t sit back shyly when rough topics come up 

I speak. 

I share my thoughts and feelings 

I refuse to be another face in the crowd 

I refuse to be someone who sits on their death bed regretting how they never said what was on their mind. 

To be the person listening not the person speaking

To be the person in the crowd rather than on stage 

To be the person who never makes a difference and just floats through life 

I’m not going to be that person 

I’m not going to be that person 

I’m NOT going to be that person 

I was taught to speak. 

And so I do. 

Hate that I am a woman who speaks up no matter what. 

Hate that I am me and I refuse to be anyone else 

Hate that I talk 

Hate that I share  

Hate it all 

But I’m not going to stop speaking 

I can’t 

I can’t do it 

I won’t do it 

I know I talk 

And I talk a lot 

And maybe my voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard 

And maybe my opinions seem skewed 

And maybe my facts are wrong 

And maybe me speaking is the reason i get hate 

But I was taught to speak 

And so I do.