Poem about the effects of writing professors' status

A poem and short article by Georgetown legal writing professor Kristen Tiscione are generating considerable interest on the Internet.  The poem, below, describes the effects of second-class status for legal writing professors.

If I Am a Color

I am not black.
I am not white.
If I am a color, I am clear.

If I am a Sneech, I have no star.
If I have a voice, I have no power.

If I am male, I am diminished.
If I am female, I am worse.

With my own, I can speak.
Disagree,
Contribute.

With the rest, I must listen.
Agree. Defer.

With my own, I am loved.
Respected.
Valued.

To the rest, I am lesser.
Unwelcome. Tolerated.

I hear Fairness, Equity, Justice.
But I am to be patient. Grateful.
Quiet.

I hear skills.
Reevaluate
Collaborate.

I see wagons.
Circling. Excluding.

I am angry.
Disillusioned.
Desperate.

I am a raisin.
In the sun.
Drying.

I am a teacher.
I teach legal writing.

(jdf)