Student Poem: Positivity, Not Negativity

One of my student wrote the following poem, inspired by recent events as well as some of the book we've been reading and discussing in class (fifth grade). I asked, and said she'd be willing to let me share it. 

Positivity, Not Negativity

By: Dhyana

Let's not talk about the origin of a virus just to vilify a community.  
Let's talk about I.M Pei and Maya Lin's beautiful architectural creations,
Yo-Yo-Ma's mesmerizing contributions to music,
And the unsung heroes that protect and help us every day. 

Let's not talk about the negativity of communities.
Let's talk about Louie Armstrong and his influence on Jazz,
Katherine Johnson and how she changed the future of space exploration,
Simone Biles making us proud to be American,
And the unsung heroes that protect and help us every day. 

Let's not talk about communities having false pride of perceived superiority.
Let's talk about the influence of Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein on science,
Steve Job's contributions to the modern world,
J.K Rowling's magical world at her pen,
And the unsung heroes that protect and help us every day. 

Let's not brand communities on a few people's wrongdoings.
Let's talk about Malala's courage to stand up for what she believed,
Zahara Lari breaking boundaries, Sal Khan spreading education for everyone,
And the unsung heroes that protect and help us every day. 

Let's not talk about the social standards and issues of other countries.
Let's talk about the contributions of Ramanujan and Shakunthala Devi to mathematics,
Gandhi's impact on our world,
And the unsung heroes that protect and help us every day. 

Let's not talk or read about negative stereotypes,
And instill fear and hatred among us.
Let's talk and read about the goodness that surrounds us everywhere,
And spread love and understanding.
Share cultures with positivity,
Not negativity.