Lee Mokobe: A powerful poem about what it feels like to be transgender
Lee Mokobe is a 20-year-old South African slam poet and co-founder of Vocal Revolutionaries. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
was in a glass-stained cathedral.
the congregation was on its feet,
like a question mark
that my sin would burn
to reintroduce me to sanctity,
to be anything I want.
what was left of my goal.
the other kids couldn't play,
and apologetic girl,
wasn't deemed cute anymore.
seeing my knees in the shadow of skirts,
would never bring a husband home,
and child-bearing.
along with their slurs.
come out of the closet.
without my permission.
more Ken than Barbie.
to house all your insides,
to invite guests over,
strong enough to stand on.
myself after fading things.
left behind by Mya Hall,
conversations at the bus stop.
into a mausoleum,
my identity into a spectacle,
while the brutality of living in this body
at the bottom of equality pages.
my gender expression is a trick,
without their consent,
for their eyes and hands
they did not like.
hang me with all the other skeletons.
to talk people into coffins,
there are boys rotting,
in high school hallways
hashtag in a second
becoming like judgment day
more transgender children than parents.
start to feel redundant,
become lessons about sin
all this breath and mercy,
that washed over Jesus' feet.
getting stuck in my throat.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Lee Mokobe - PoetLee Mokobe is a 20-year-old South African slam poet and co-founder of Vocal Revolutionaries.
Why you should listen
The volunteer-run organization empowers youth in South Africa to fid their voice through poetry and art, offering free workshops, motivational talks, seasonal slams, national/local performances and mentoring. In his own poetry, Mokobe tackles tough social justice and LGBTQ issues. He has performed across three continents and was the youngest and first African coach at the Brave New Voices Festival, which he won in 2015.
Lee Mokobe | Speaker | TED.com