I am an aspiring poet looking to use my voice to change the world. Nav is my nickname and my friend jokingly created the acronym N.A.V. (Naturally Amazing Vibes). I thought it was great, so I started using it as my stage name. When I’m not performing or writing poetry, I am watching videos of other poets, studying film, and organizing events for the students on my college campus. I find writing to be a God-given talent so it comes very naturally to me. The writing of “Airport Insecurity” is based off the experiences of others who have faced harsh racial profiling at airports.Am I something different, or am I just like you?
Would it be any better if my turban were see-through?
So you could see what’s underneath and be completely sure
That there’s no threat to your lives and make you feel more secure
What can I do to make this process a breeze?
Maybe I should change myself to put you more at ease …
Would it be any better if my turban were see-through?
So you could see what’s underneath and be completely sure
That there’s no threat to your lives and make you feel more secure
What can I do to make this process a breeze?
Maybe I should change myself to put you more at ease …
Or maybe you should stop looking at me like I’m some kind of disease
I beg of you please, learn about our faith
We believe in peace and love, not in spreading the hate
And this isn’t a game, it’s not something I will change
Yet you feel no shame when you make me feel ashamed
Each time I go to the airport and get pulled to the side
For this “random” search that’s really cause of this turban that’s tied
On top of my head, now I don’t feel any pride
Cause justice has died the second you stopped me from taking that ride
Being patient I have tried, and I’ve kept it inside, but I can’t tell myself these lies
I beg of you please, learn about our faith
We believe in peace and love, not in spreading the hate
And this isn’t a game, it’s not something I will change
Yet you feel no shame when you make me feel ashamed
Each time I go to the airport and get pulled to the side
For this “random” search that’s really cause of this turban that’s tied
On top of my head, now I don’t feel any pride
Cause justice has died the second you stopped me from taking that ride
Being patient I have tried, and I’ve kept it inside, but I can’t tell myself these lies
I can’t tell myself that things will be okay
That my fears and worries can soon be put away
And that this won’t happen again another day
When there was no reason in the first place
For this price I must pay, this time I must waste
Or this harassment I must face
Cause you target a whole race when it was only just a few
We have our rights, yet there’s nothing we can do
So, we step in a box and let you check our shoes
To make sure there’s no chemicals or even a fuse
Cause we can’t refuse being held back at the gate
That my fears and worries can soon be put away
And that this won’t happen again another day
When there was no reason in the first place
For this price I must pay, this time I must waste
Or this harassment I must face
Cause you target a whole race when it was only just a few
We have our rights, yet there’s nothing we can do
So, we step in a box and let you check our shoes
To make sure there’s no chemicals or even a fuse
Cause we can’t refuse being held back at the gate
Now I’m not a terrorist … but I’m going to blow up from the anger you create
I can’t stand back and wait for things to be different
And hope that eventually we’ll get better treatment
Instead of sitting on the side, waiting for you to realize that we are clear
The security is so insecure, they are controlled by their fear
I can’t stand back and wait for things to be different
And hope that eventually we’ll get better treatment
Instead of sitting on the side, waiting for you to realize that we are clear
The security is so insecure, they are controlled by their fear
You feel insecure? Well what about us?
If we’re all human beings, how come we aren’t treated as such?
Why do we have to pray that our trip home will happen without a fuss?
That we won’t be stopped and forced to be checked
Scrutinized and examined like some lab project
If we’re all human beings, how come we aren’t treated as such?
Why do we have to pray that our trip home will happen without a fuss?
That we won’t be stopped and forced to be checked
Scrutinized and examined like some lab project
And your assumptions are incorrect so there’s no need to inspect
Every single one of us that looks like Bin Laden
In case you haven’t realized yet, we already got him
Now, don’t get me wrong, I know there are more
But, that still doesn’t give you the right, to make us feel insecure.
Every single one of us that looks like Bin Laden
In case you haven’t realized yet, we already got him
Now, don’t get me wrong, I know there are more
But, that still doesn’t give you the right, to make us feel insecure.
Find N.A.V. on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @sikhi4life.
