Oh How To Find Silence In the World
Being spotted in the color of skin,
why I take care in San Francisco,
waiting for the bus to Iowa.
They say racial prejudice is strong,
Negros and not whites kawawa,
and because of this they will revolt.
I shiver and shiver from fear and hunger
because I just landed from Tokyo.
A Negro came into the station—
naka-African hairdo; he holds a small
whip: it’s scary to look, so
I did not look at him. Kumakalansing
the metal on the strings of his shoes
and he shouts, “Peace, brothers!” Smiled showing
white teeth. Looked at me—
maybe he laughed at what he saw—
a tiny dayuhan, dark and from
some lupalog. Upside down
my insides went in fright and pulled
a cigarette so the redness of my face
wouldn’t show. I nahalata
that the Whites there too were quiet
so quiet, unable to speak in front
of that Negro. Only when he left returned
the normalcy in the station—others
read again, neighbors gossiped again,
laughter, the janitor sweeped again.
After a while that Negro passed again
two white Americanas on each arm,
blonde, their beauty with no equal.
The janitor stopped sweeping.
I thought, “So this is racial prejudice.”
Comments
Cirilo Bautista's poem "Oh
Cirilo Bautista's poem "Oh How To Find Silence In the World" addresses the complexities of racial prejudice and how it affects individuals in society. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Bautista offers a raw and honest portrayal of the fear, discomfort, and discrimination experienced by those marginalized because of their race.
The poem begins with the speaker's reflection on racial prejudice while waiting for a bus to Iowa in San Francisco. The speaker's awareness of being "spotted in the color of skin" highlights the pervasive nature of racism and how it influences everyday interactions. Bautista's use of imagery, such as the speaker shivering from fear and hunger, evokes a sense of vulnerability and unease, emphasizing the emotional toll of racial discrimination.
As the poem progresses, the speaker encounters a Negro man at the station, whose presence elicits a mixture of fear and discomfort. The man's African hairstyle and small whip serve as symbols of resistance and defiance against oppression, challenging the status quo and disrupting the silence imposed by racial prejudice. The speaker's reluctance to make eye contact with the man reflects a sense of internalized fear and shame as they grapple with their complicity in perpetuating racial stereotypes.
Through the interaction between the Negro man and the white individuals at the station, Bautista sheds light on the power dynamics at play in situations of racial prejudice. The silence and discomfort exhibited by the white individuals in the presence of the Negro man underscore the underlying tensions and inequalities that pervade society. Bautista's observation that "the Whites there too were quiet, so quiet, unable to speak in front of that Negro" poignantly captures the stifling effect of racial prejudice on both the oppressed and the oppressor.
In conclusion, "Oh How To Find Silence In the World" by Cirilo Bautista is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of racial prejudice and its impact on individuals within society. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Bautista offers readers a glimpse into the emotional and psychological toll of racism while also challenging readers to confront their own biases and complicity in perpetuating systems of oppression. This timely and essential poem serves as a reminder of the need for empathy, understanding, and solidarity in the fight against racial injustice.
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