“You Are Not What They Speak Of You” by Jason Lalli
because you are not what they speak of you
like a tornado destroys a village
is how quickly it destroyed his spirit
Deja Vu with new faces
Asian by Heritage but a Collegiate
student in America with the thickness of
a twig his tall slender meat and Bone
cycle frame never seemed to get a warm
reception
his genius felt socially awkward
a confident computer nerd by stereotype
shy wants to keep to himself type of
demeanor don’t let this magician’s
illusion fool you
he wants to reach out
his giant heart yearns for connection
but social settings breathe life into
bullying nightmares as beautiful women
snap pictures to laugh about with their
friends while peers in groups distaste
we strip him of his dignity with insults
to his face it’s the pain of rejection
has become the erosion of
self-confidence
how can mental strength survive
if it’s the target always being shot as
not like a private affair
but the embarrassment of public
humiliation
insult bombs leave shots and negativity
in the walls of his mind and his soul
his heart transform the black empty
life loses luster after a person is
conditioned in such a man
when degrading persecution becomes
regular routine the Silver Lining is
lost for light when the eyes always see
Darkness no chance to hear truth when hateful
poison is all that is fat to be heard so
how can he feel alive if he’s imprisoned
by fear
like the scared pit bull confined by its
Leisure are we surprised to see snapping
teeth in defense yet we wonder why
suicide rates on a rapid incline why the
outcast lashes out violently towards
their fellow students as media rating
Skyrocket with no regard
I was Witness
as I watched his parents lifetime
Harvest demolished with one action
afraid of Confrontation there was no
acknowledgment as he stared at the floor
I can’t imagine his life being filled
with beautiful Scenic views of his gaze
is always fixed downwards
as a bystander we have a choice
to look away as he did afraid of
Confrontation or to become a participant
I chose to make a difference
my actions spoke with words of
encouragement as if to say
my friend
please take a moment to remove yourself
from this angst fill the breath of
oxygen invigorate life into your veins
hear how beautiful your mind and soul is
and always will be
see the light outlining beyond their
cloud of hatred
understand they’re unhappy with
themselves they laugh at you because
they want you to join them in their
misery you are not what they speak of
you you are the lights they wish to be
you are purity don’t let them taint your good nature
be strong
know that type of strength lies deep
within your core it’s there you have it
harness it’s power
there are wind blowing against your
unfazed Steel
you are not rock the world with time you
were ever evolving maturing beyond the
petty use this moment don’t let it use
you
lead is the opposite to the extreme and
treat everyone you meet with kindness
because know that once upon a time in a
different scenario and place
I
I was you
and I pray that today my actions prove
that you
can be me
Transcribed from the video “You Are Not What They Speak of You” by Jason Lalli and VulnerablyLalli.
Watch “You Are Not What They Speak Of You” by Jason Lalli on YouTube
About the poet Jason Lalli
Summary and Analysis of “You Are Not What They Speak Of You” by Jason Lalli
Jason Lalli’s poem “You Are Not What They Speak Of You” is a profound meditation on bullying, resilience, and self-worth. It tells the story of an Asian student studying in America, facing relentless social rejection and public humiliation. The poem paints a harrowing picture of how bullying erodes self-confidence, trapping its victims in a prison of fear and isolation.
The poem’s strength lies in its deep empathy. Lalli explores the emotional and psychological toll of bullying, likening it to a tornado that destroys a spirit in an instant. The student is portrayed as a misunderstood genius, a shy but big-hearted individual, yearning for connection yet repeatedly cast aside. The cruelty of his peers manifests in mockery, social exclusion, and outright insults, all of which build up, conditioning him to see the world through a lens of darkness.
Lalli masterfully shifts the poem’s tone from despair to empowerment. The speaker, who once endured similar torment, chooses to break the cycle—to uplift rather than ignore, to encourage rather than degrade. He urges the bullied student to see beyond the hatred, recognizing that cruelty often stems from the aggressors’ own pain and insecurity. The poem becomes a call to resilience, reminding the reader that self-worth is not defined by others’ opinions.
The final stanza is particularly powerful and transformative. The speaker declares that he was once in the victim’s position but has since risen above, proving that one can overcome and even surpass the pain inflicted by others. The poem becomes a beacon of hope, offering a message that is both timeless and universal: we are not what others say we are—we define ourselves.
To learn more about Jason Lalli’s poetry, spoken word performances, and advocacy for self-empowerment, visit his poet bio page here.