Binary Converginary: Front Lines, a World Apart Collide Volume 3, Issue 2 2021 Allies for Education 2021, 3, 2 https://journals.library.csuci.edu/ojs/index.php/afe Binary Converginary: Front Lines, a World Apart Collide Allison Graham This was written as beat poetry to be performed as spoken word by two people. The voice of Person 1 is represented in non-italics. Person 2 is represented in italics. The centered text is spoken in tandem. Red words interjected in the column in the opposite format (e.g., a red italicized word in the middle of a non- italicized section) represent an interjection from the other speaker. It is to be read left column until the centered text, right column until the centered text, then center column. As a kid I was TOLD I could BE anything, BE whatever I want, DREAM Dream BIG! Reverie in rainbows, late night shows, unicorns, endless possibilities, opportunities, probabilities, capabilities Endless Encouragement, confidence. I was essentially loved, family tensions, nuclear detonations. Optimism, affirmations, aspirations, college degrees. Possibilities I was left at a gate, five-months did I wait, isolated Alone insulated, prohibt-tat-ed, left behind, my life to be defined. I was adopted by whites, given rights, Parents for scary nights, inc-u-bated Gestated indoctrinated, cerebral-lated, intelligence, expectations, postulations, demonstrations, aspirations Identity Binary Converginary: Front Lines, a World Apart Collide Allison Graham Allies for Education 2021, 3, 2 https://journals.library.csuci.edu/ojs/index.php/afe Conceptualize, revolutionize, opportun-alize. college degrees, privilege-izations. That’s how we got our start. I went to a private Catholic School Growing Up. Discipline, religion. Take your catholic medicine, In Nomine Don’t be late, Christ can hate, Priests can speak the word of God, no one thinks that’s kinda odd? Pater Nuns stay on bridal knees, God Herself does not need, Repeat exactly what is said, or you’ll meet the Devil’s end, He will take your soul away. Just be good. Sanctus Do as told Et spiritus Please do TRY and fit this mold. Filius. Nuns beat, Ductus knuckles red, put religion in my head, Exemplo white Shirts, plaid Skirts, penny loafers, pink and green, popular girls WE ARE MEAN! Corporal punish principals, wooden paddles, spank bad apples, I’d misbehave until last bell, mother never took it well, Fulminate and criticize, Please go out and proselytize. Daily religious classes, for the Lord to feed Her masses, Volente beatings, lashes, Deo acolyte smashes. We do appreciate, Godliness to subjugate, SILENCE! is a golden rule, for the church to be so cruel, bad things happen under stairs behind closed doors no one cares. I am now a recovering Catholic. Binary Converginary: Front Lines, a World Apart Collide Allison Graham Allies for Education 2021, 3, 2 https://journals.library.csuci.edu/ojs/index.php/afe I remember where I was when Gay Marriage was announced. I remember where I was when Gay Marriage was announced. June 26th, two-thousand fifteen. Much of my life was lived in the dark, A red scarlet mark, Marry On love’s societal fringe, on a binge, overdoing, Whomever slightly abusing, having a blast, You LOVE! will always last, teachings from my past. I was taught this way. Much of my life was lived in the light, Front-line was my fight, Fight? with impertinence, insolence, brazenness. Stigmatized, classified, marginalized, discrimi-nal-lizied, characterized. Rights? When growing up gay, without marriage why stay? I was taught this way. Love is Love Salt Lake City one day, the worst place to be gay. Fighting haters, discrimanators, chased down dark alleyways, beer bottles thrown my way. Fighting back on the attack. please don’t speak that way, it’s hard enough to be gay. Pasadena one day, the best place to downplay. Deceiving investigators, bypassing interrogators, performing as straight, How long should I wait? Morally complicit, led by the elicit, fit to the mold, expectation, anticipation knowing my fate, Will it be too late? To be authentically me in this city I see? Never give up; always tits up! What the hell are you talking about? Progress brings change. Binary Converginary: Front Lines, a World Apart Collide Allison Graham Allies for Education 2021, 3, 2 https://journals.library.csuci.edu/ojs/index.php/afe Reclaiming, renaming, reframing, re- appropriating, White privilege separating fragmentating, Have many people heard? Bi-an-ary, Conversionary cis-patriarchy equity, multiplicity, reciprocity, diversity, social constructivity, heteronormativity, non-conformity Yes, I’ve heard. I teach these words. I get more words to use now. She gets a bit of it now. Am I alone? She’s not alone. New identifiers? Modifications, trans-dictionaries self alterations revis-o-nations individual flags? one rainbow incorporated Identification amalgamation integration Associations, Interpretations, Privilege-i-zations Insert-ation Maintaining rights, For Court fights All Marching in the street, Fights Fighting defeat We keep the beat. Now today, we teach-preach a whole new way. Excitement to feel free something denied to me Finally, we have the right, To love with all our might Our people died for WE. Conquering, Vanquishing, Overpowering! You’re not going to make the jump if you don’t take the leap. About the Author Allison L. Graham is a global learning technologist, an immersive storyteller, and a social media historian. Binary Converginary: Front Lines, a World Apart Collide About the Author