WHY ME? by Joanne Carcare I don't understand Mom? You raised me to know that everyone is equal, Christian or Jewish, Black or White, woman or man. It doesn't matter if they are Immigrant or citizen, gay or straight, or disabled. Then why is it Mom that when I told Dad, I was gay, He didn't talk to me He thought just because I was gay I had AIDS. I don't understand Mom. You raised me a certain way. You told me if I couldn't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. So why is it Mom that my brand new car, Has FAGGOT spray-painted on its side? I don't understand Mom? You raised me to know that everyone is equal, Christian or Jewish, Black or White, woman or man. It doesn't matter if they are Immigrant or citizen, gay or straight, or disabled. I don't understand Mom?  You raised me never to disrespect anyone. So why is it when I go out with friends, We have to hear faggot, homo, and other words yelled at us. I don't understand Mom? You taught me never to raise my fists with anger. So why am I lying on the sidewalk bleeding? I've done everything you said Mom? I treat everyone as equals whether they are; Christian or Jewish, Black or White, woman or man. It doesn't matter if they are Immigrant or citizen, gay or straight, or disabled. I don't understand Mom? Why am I lying on the sidewalk? When they screamed FAGGOT, I stood still, I didn't run. Is that why mom? Is that why I'm the one bleeding? When they threw the first punch, I didn't hit back. There were three guys and I was just one. Is that why Mom? Is that why my head hurts so bad right now? I don't understand Mom? When they started punching me, I tried to defend myself but I couldn't. I fell to the floor and they started kicking me and Screaming "DIE FAGGOT DIE!" I don't understand Mom? You raised me to think that everyone is equal; Christian or Jewish, Black or White, woman or man. It doesn't matter if they are Immigrant or citizen, gay or straight, or disabled. I've done what you said Mom so Why Mom am I the one on the floor bleeding? My ribs are hurting and I'm getting dizzy. I never hurt anyone. I never disrespected or hit anyone. So why Mom am I the one bleeding now. I've done everything you said to do. So why am I lying here bleeding? I can't really see. My head hurts really bad now. I don't understand Mom, Why me? All I can hear are those guys screaming, "DIE FAGGOT DIE!" I don't understand, why me? You raised me to treat everyone as equals Christian or Jewish, Black or White, woman or man. It doesn't matter if they are Immigrant or citizen, gay or straight, or disabled. Why me Mom? Why do I have to die? I love you, Mom! I am very dizzy now. I can't think anymore. I'm really cold. I'm sorry Mom. I'm sorry that I'm dying. I'm lying on the sidewalk bleeding. The cop's just came, they say there's nothing they can do for me, Mom. I heard them say he's gone! I don't understand? You raised me to treat everyone as equals, Christian or Jewish, Black or White, woman or man. It doesn't matter if they are Immigrant or citizen, gay or straight, or disabled.