Take a Walk in My Shoes
This is an art piece that I created, addressing issues in Teen Pregnancy. As part of practicum experiencee this Spring semester, I worked with teen parents and it was really eye-opening to the issues they have to face and deal with.
The idea of “walking in my shoes” came from an art piece I worked on that was designed by my supervisor. This original art piece shown below is about overcoming the negative things people say.
In response, I created this above mixed media piece and also wrote the following poem:
Take a Walk in My Shoes
Before you judge me
Just take a walk in my shoes
Step inside my world
And feel the weight of my cares
The weight of regrets constantly bringing me down
The weight of trying to take care of my child
The weight to finish school and find a good job
The weight of the unsure future ahead of me
This is not what I planned
For my teenage years
But this is where I am now
Growing up quickly before your eyes
Instead of looking at me
With eye full of shame
Scolding me and putting me down so low
Instead of pointing your finger at me in blame
Stretch your hand out to teach me
How to be a good parent
Lift your arms up to show me
That success is not out of my reach
Instead of looking down on me and my child
Encourage us to look up and see
All the opportunities still available to us
In our present and in our future
Because we don’t need your judgement
Your pity, your shame
We just want your encouragement
Your support and unrestrained love
So before you gossip about me
Or write me off as a lost cause
Just take a walk in my shoes
And then maybe you’ll see
The hope I still have to fight for.
