Racism Is Just Shallow

Lazarus Olaoluwapo // SSS1D // Press Club Member

Relaxed in the train, ignorant of the insult rain
Sitting by the window, the train’s steel my pillow
And then it began, first with a woman

“Watch out fellow men” She said in Yoruba
“The boy, Igbo love money” She continued with a big Ah!

“Oh that? They don’t even mind stealing” added a man his mocking mouth ajar

Too sorry was I, for they were engrossed in relaying different stories about Igbo thieves

With disgust I watched; were they perfect? I thought

So self- righteous they are, shallow and uncouth they often are

“They can do anything for money” One commented

“We had better keep watch” Was that a rooster?

“Then we sleep in turns” A voice like the crow of a rooster!

All along they spoke in Yoruba- I so insulted was still Yoruba

So ludicrous they all slept off, I could have taught them all a lesson but I kept off

And the next morning they all woke up, all along I needn’t wake up!

Hungry a woman called a hawker in motion, as the train pulled up at the station

This was my opportunity to show them the result of their stupidity

“Young hawker come over” I cried in pure Yoruba

Surprised they all cried out “Hoo! Heil! Ah! Ah!!!”

Instantly they apologized and vowed to watch their tongues

They bought me gifts and prayed for me like I was their son

I was glad not because of the gifts but because they had learnt their lesson.