Speak Up

Speak up

It’s always been a challenge

From not speaking up in the midst of family drama

To not speaking up on the basketball court

Just a shy little boy

Sent from Haiti to take on the world

What a tall task to fulfill

My high school teacher told me I spoke well

That I don’t speak much but when I do speak it’s meaningful

With all the times I held my tongue, you would think I never had something meaningful to say

I kept it inside

But not by choice

By fear of laughter

Fear of failure

Is that why I didn’t speak when my feelings got hurt?

When I felt in danger?

When my aunt got cancer?

Speak up

Raise your voice

Don’t shake

I hear these words from myself and others

How much power have I been holding back?

I grew up in the city of dreams - New York must have been calling me

But I remember more nightmares than pleasant dreams

Maybe it’s the duality that has kept me silenced

A good kid at heart, but lived right in the heart of crime

Drive bys and drug deals were the norm

But I never lost myself

My mother told me the angels were protecting me

That’s 444, if you know you know

Speak up Dixon

My father gave me this name

The name means King, and I know I’ve made him proud.

I’ve wanted to perform on stage for a couple years now

I’ve envisioned myself being interviewed

21 countries in and I’m on my way

I’m speaking up now aren’t I?

In Da Nang, Vietnam

What a dream come true

My reality used to be just staying inside

Watching Anime, Playing NBA 2K

Scared to go to the living room because of family feud

Walking on eggshells down the street

Perhaps that’s why I didn’t speak

I wasn’t held down in chains but I was not free

Even my breathing patterns were out of sync

But slowly, this caged bird started to soar

He spoke up in therapy

He spoke up in group conversations

Now he speaks on this stage, a 20-hour flight from home

This is my story

The boy who could

Speak Up