Being Different

They take my kindness for weaknesses
They take my silence for speechless
They consider my uniqueness strange
They call my language slang
They see my confidence as conceit
They see my mistake as defeat
They consider my success accidental
They minimize my intelligence to "potential"
My questions mean I'm unaware
My advancement is somehow unfair
Any praise is preferential treatment"
To voice concern is discontentment
If I stand up for myself, I'm too defensive
If I don't trust them, I'm too apprehensive
I'm deviant if I separate
I'm Fake if I assimilate
Pride in my culture can turn into contempt or resentment
Other than the above I am treated like everyone else?

Author unknown