While most girls in my school did ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and jazz

I did Bharatanatyam

Or in other words ¨The indiany hard to pronounce dance¨

That phrase stuck onto me, ringing in my ears like a swarm of bees

I almost quit

I didn't want to be known as the girl who

¨Covers her whole body when dancing¨

¨Makes weird hand gestures and moves awkwardly¨

¨Paints her hand with a substance that looks like cow dung¨

¨Wears a bright red sticker on her forehead like she's a kindergartener¨

They just didn't get my culture 

And I didn't care

I appreciate my roots and heritage

Despite the hate

I will do what I love

And I love Bharatnatyam

For it instills a vibration throughout my body

As I feel the rhythm through my veins as I dance

The beat playing a soft melody in my ears

Pushing away those ignorant comments

Painting my hands with mehndi, creating an elaborate yet delicate design

Applying my bindi carefully on my forehead

Looking like a Bharatanatyam dancer