"Those People"


I try not to judge, to keep an open mind,
But when I hear "Those People," I can't help but cringe.
The phrase has been uttered so many times,
It leaves a bitter taste, my tolerance singed.
So here's a poem about "Those People," you see,
The ones so casually dismissed and blamed:
They're mothers and fathers, just like you and me,
Working hard, their dignity unclaimed.
They're not inadequate, lazy, or weak,
But facing challenges, day after day.
With limited jobs and support they seek,
To give their children a better way.
They're humans, not cases to be managed and filed,
Their lives are more than forms and red tape.
They're communities fractured, families beguiled,
By a system that leaves them to scrape.
Before you utter that phrase so unkind,
Take a moment to walk in their shoes.
You might find that the labels you had in mind,
Are nothing but harmful, false views.
For "Those People" are us, they're you and they're me,
They're the fabric that makes up our nation.
It's time that we open our eyes and see,
Their strength, their worth, their determination.
So the next time you're tempted to say "Those People,"
Remember this poem, give pause and reflect.
For our judgments and words can be deeply impactful,
And everyone deserves our respect.
©2024 Jeff Newton

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