This poem was composed by Nūr Johnson, a senior in the Justice Studies at Northeastern Illinois University.
Nūr, who is a CAPA intern, presented the poem at a program on “art as resistance” at the university, April 2, 2026.
The light within they try to take,
Beat me down to no awake.
(They) Kick and spit and call me names.
(They) Change the rules in the middle of the games.
You should be glad to even be here, you’re lucky.
They see more worth in a puppy than me
But still I thrive and shine my light
‘Till they try to take it, with a fight.
I’m right, you’re wrong,
I’m big, I’m strong,
You’re nothing, you’re weak.
I want to hurt you, hear you shriek.
I want to be the one to take your shine
Keep it to myself, make it all mine.
I can never have enough; I need it all, call my bluff
So I called the bluff.
I am not afraid
To keep shining my light. I slowly prayed
God bless me through, please be my aid.
I won’t fight fire with fire.
I’ll use my light to outshine the darkness.
My light is mine to share with others; it can’t be harnessed.
I share it with my brothers and sisters and friends and teachers
But will they watch from the bleachers? When someone tries to take my light? Or will they stand up stand up and fight?
I need your help,
Will you help me?
Or will you stand and watch,
Stand and watch, watch me bleed,
Stand and watch
While I’m in an ocean lost at sea,
Stand and watch
While I lose my light to their greed?
Are you watching, or did you fight for me?
by 