clubGEN girls recently spent some time creating “Just Because” poems, the poems that allow them to celebrate themselves and respond to assumptions people make about them. We thought we’d share some of the funny, honest and moving poems girls made:
Just Because I am a girl
Doesn’t mean I have to be girly
Doesn’t mean I have to like pink
Doesn’t mean I have to like dresses
I am a girl and I am unique
Just because I am a good student
Doesn’t mean I don’t break rules
Just Because I live in a bad neighborhood
Doesn’t mean I have bad parents
Just because I am from Mexico
Doesn’t mean I am here illegally
And just because this poem is called Just Because
Does not mean I will start every sentence with it
I am me, nothing less and nothing more
Just because I am smart
Doesn’t mean I am stuck up
Doesn’t mean I can’t have fun
Doesn’t mean I can’t just let go sometimes
I’m not smart, I’m me.
Just because I like being alone
Doesn’t mean I’m anti-social
Doesn’t mean I don’t love to talk
Doesn’t mean I’m not a good friend
Doesn’t mean I’m not worth getting to know
I am an introvert, not an outcast.
Just because I’m a girl
Doesn’t mean I can’t play football
Doesn’t mean I can’t ever be more than a secretary
Doesn’t mean I’m frivilous
I’m a girl, not a nothing!
Just Because I’m overweight
Doesn’t mean I eat a lot
Doesn’t mean I run slow
Doesn’t mean I am ugly
I am beautiful and healthy
A poem from one of our 180 girls:
Just because of what I did in the past
Doesn’t mean I’m the same person today
Doesn’t mean I do what i used to to
Doesn’t mean I made the same choices I used to
I’m a changed person!
Just because I’m Mexican
Doesn’t mean I can’t learn
Doesn’t mean I can only talk spanish
Doesn’t mean I can’t go to college
Doesn’t mean I can’t reach my goals
Doesn’t mean I live out in the street
I am equal to you and many others…