The Glue (after Boston Marathon bombing reactions)

I hear people chanting
Spouting their twisted ideologies
Gushing with outrage

Questioning why a nation would continue 

To allow foreigners to enter

If they only abuse the privilege 

Forgetting that they themselves wouldn't be there

If entry was denied

Unless they can trace that Native American bloodline

How quickly they forget

That the structures that stand now

Were carved out on the backs and shoulders of

Some of these same people they 

Thrash with words of scorn

Forgetting that when mom and dad 

Were too busy, these same foreigners

They speak of

Clothed, fed, changed their diapers

Cooked, cleaned, and made their house

A happy home

These same foreigners 

Do the jobs they don't want to do

The gardeners, janitors, and sanitation workers

The construction workers,  nannies, and maids

The taxi drivers and gas station attendants

The bus boys and 

Their favorite barista 

Nurses, home care attendants

Sometimes even the doctors

And countless others

They are the glue that bonded everything together 

And to now say that 

They shouldn't be entitled to any of it

Is amazing to me because 

I too am a foreigner

I've taught  your children

I've wiped their tears and talked with them

When you were to busy to converse

I've addressed their disabilities when you were

In denial or just plain selfish

Or conflicted by

What the Jones' would say

I've fed them when you forgot to

I've been the counselor and mediator

The friend and confidant

When you just didn't take the time

To simply sit and talk to them

I've tried to mold them into better human beings 

Than what I remember children their ages

Being when I was growing up

If you honestly believe that only foreigners are 

Committing these heinous crimes 

You're sadly mistaken

This anger that displays itself through violent acts

Stems from years of misguidance

Misinformation and miseducation 

From mental illness

From bullying and lack of self esteem

And countless insecurities 

From lack of motivation

From inability to accept responsibility 

For one's own actions

From misuse of holy doctrines

From idolizing and placing individuals on pedestals

Who have no business being held that high

From people spewing hate and anger

Let me say that again, 

From people spewing hate and anger

From some isolated incident 

That was never resolved

And then spun into a 

Web of destruction over time

From fear of the unknown

Stick a scarlet F on my chest 

And label me a foreigner 

Cuz that's what the heck I am 

And I make no apologies for it 

Cuz we foreigners bleed red just like you

And whether our collars are white or blue

We will forever be 

That glue that bonded this country together