A poem about status from a different viewpoint

Following Kristen Tiscione’s poem (below) about writing professors’ status, Teri McMurtry- Chubb of Mercer has written a response.  She presents the special viewpoint of a woman of color whose faculty recently voted to award her tenure.

I am DEFINITELY a Color
 
I am African American
I am a woman
I teach legal writing
 
I have power
I teach literacy and access to an elitist profession
My chosen profession
 
I am an African American woman who teaches legal writing
Some try to diminish me
Try
 
With my legal writing sisters and brothers of color I can speak
Laugh
Disagree
Contribute
Cry
Commiserate
I am loved
 
With my legal writing sisters and brothers I can speak
Laugh
Disagree
Contribute
Cry
Commiserate
I am loved, sometimes
 
With the rest, I wait
I have power
I teach literacy and access to an elitist profession
Our chosen profession
 
I hear Skills
Reevaluate
Collaborate
 
I see circled wagons within already circled wagons
Circling
Excluding
Justifying
 
I am hopeful
I am a prisoner of hope
I am hope
 
I am a bird
Learning to use her wings
Soaring
 
I am an African American woman who teaches legal writing
I teach literacy and access to an elitist profession
I have power, and I use it in the service of justice.
 
     Professor McMurtry-Chubb recently wrote an article about women of color, legal writing professors, and status.

(jdf)