Student voice and cultural responsivesness

This powerful post was shared by Manu Faaea-Semeatu, where she looks at a poem called "Voice" that she wrote last month and featured on her blog. Would be awesome to read your thoughts and reactions.
Manu writes" The principal of Holy Family School in Porirua - Chris Theobald (@The0bald) reached out to me on Twitter to ask if he could film two students reciting the poem. Enjoy!"

Voice

a poem inspired by expectations and and hesitations. . . 

I am expected to speak

Eyes bore into mine as I make eye contact

I wait patiently, waiting for an opportunity

None is given

Should I interrupt and make a case for myself?

I struggle internally, this is not how I'm raised

I must sit quietly and wait for a chance to speak

I need to find my voice

You expect me to speak

But do you want to listen?

Can you really hear what I'm saying?

You are impatient

Should I interrupt and make you listen?

You struggle internally, this is now how you're raised

You stand tall, and take up every chance to speak

You need to find my voice

Introducing Joziah and Ethan - with two different approaches to the poem :-)

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