Don't Drink Bees

I wrote this poem after watching the film Ethnic Notions. Viewing examples of racial stereotypes in TV, movies, and advertising through the last century made me keenly aware of stereotypes I was seeing now as I experienced daily life. And waiting in line at the grocery store one day, I saw an African American youth holding a box of Uncle Ben's rice. And the irony hit me. I couldn't help but wonder if he knew the history he had there in his hands.

I also thought about the choices we make when buying goods. Do we support a company that used to mock a group of people? Do we support companies that are mocking minorities now? What is funny and what is insulting and where should the line be drawn?

And then I wrote this poem.