The poem expresses the speaker's frustration with others who try to force them to conform and be like them, rather than accepting them for who they are. The speaker notes that while they are not the same as the person they are addressing, that person refuses to let them be themselves and interferes in their affairs as if they were their own. The speaker argues that it is unfair and foolish to think they can or should be the same as the other person, since God made each person as an individual, so they should let the speaker be who they are.

1. Africa's Plea
by
Roland
Tombekai Dempster

2. I am not you —
but you will not
give me a chance
will not let me be me

3. “If I were you”—
but you know
I am not you,
yet you will not
let me be me.

4. You meddle,
interfere
in my affairs
as if they were
yours
and you were me.

5. You are unfair,
unwise,
foolish to think
that I can be you,
talk, act
and think like you.

6. God made me me.
He made you you.
For God's sake
Let me be me.

7. God made me me.
He made you you.
For God's sake
Let me be me.