Cofee Shop by Rosalind Wildson

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Coffee Shop

our local coffee shop is not closed

it is open

but no one is at it

at least, no one who cares.

the food is good, so that’s not why we don’t go there anymore

we like the baristas and the music

but we don’t like where the money goes

at least, no one who cares.

mum says it will be forced to close soon, or change

without any business, no money to pay the rent

more importantly, no money to give to career politicians

or big corporations

people we don’t tolerate, too, like those who say we shouldn’t be in the country

or people who don’t like us because of who and how we love

to tell you the truth, I don’t know where the money actually goes

but I know it goes

to no one who cares

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Rosalind Wildson is 10. She loves books, especially Harry Potter, otters, and cats, and baking.

Your poem “Coffee Shop” gives readers a strong, clear picture of how boycotting businesses serves as a way to reject ideas and policies that are harmful and discriminatory and how sometimes we have to make sacrifices (like choosing to no longer visit our favorite shops or restaurants) to help build a better world. When it comes to working together to make the world a better place, what other actions, big or small, do you suggest fellow kids take? 

There's one project I did somewhere where you write a letter to a person or company that you think could do better, trying to persuade them to change something. (e.g. the mayor). Sometimes you get responses or do what you asked them to do, which is really cool!

What is your favorite topic to study in school?

I like art and writing a lot, they're my favorites.

What is the most interesting thing you recently learned?

In the Amazon rainforest, there's a language where you have to specify how you found out information, either by seeing it, hearing it from someone, noticing evidence, or guessing. (e. g. I noticed evidence that my friend ate ice cream yesterday, there were waffle cone crumbs on their dining table).  You also can't say "I have a dog" unless you have the dog right there with you. You have to say "Last time I checked, I have a dog," since you can't technically prove it at the time.

What book are you currently reading or read most recently? Would you recommend this book to other readers?

I'm reading My Family Divided, by Diane Guerrero. It's a true story, and I would definitely recommend it! It deals with things like deportation, etc., so maybe not for everyone, though.