Oscar Oruche wins the University of Manchester’s Flash 25 fiction and Non-fiction Competition
I am Oscar Oruche, three-quarters English and a quarter Nigerian, and am a current Undergraduate Student reading a BA (Hons) in East Asian Studies. Prior to living in the UK, I lived in Singapore, where I was exposed to Chinese culture and language, something that has led to my keen interest in Chinese History. My fascination with China and its history from a young age led me to study the language for 19 years, and I plan to pursue an MA in Contemporary China (Chinese Studies) post-graduation.
This poem was written in commemoration of Black History Month and was submitted as part of The University of Manchester’s flagship Flash Fiction/Non-Fiction Competition. When I looked at the prompt for this year’s competition, which was transformation, I immediately thought about my own hurdles and challenges and how I have perceived and conquered them, with the goal of trying to inspire others to have a similar outlook on life. The competition, in my opinion, is unique in that it enables young, budding academics to express the way in which we conceptualise difference at large. This competition emphasizes the fact that rather than seeing Black History Month as a celebration of a particular race or group, it should be seen as a celebration of the collective history of humanity. Winning this competition is an absolute honour and privilege that has allowed me to express how I situate the concept of difference and transformation despite challenges in life. Winning the competition also shines a light on the fact that History as a discipline is a deeply personal phenomenon that can be expressed in a myriad of different ways and takes different shapes and forms. As an academic in training and a novice creative practitioner, I have the goal of continuing to disseminate knowledge to the world in a way that is both comprehensible and relatable to the world at large.
This opportunity that I have had is one that I would argue is priceless, sharing something so deeply personal and close to my heart. Poetry is a medium of expression like no other, something that has allowed me to express a story that I simply would struggle to articulate in everyday conversation. This poem has allowed me to express my life story and how I approach difficulty in a multilayered manner. Ultimately, difference is something that should not be perceived as a setback but rather be seen as a source of energy and empowerment.
Colour Is Not a Barrier
I was born between continents,
Tokyo lights flickering in my first breath,
neon kanji sliding over my skin
that never chose a side.
In Asia, I learned movement differently –
not by walking,
but by rolling through temple courtyards
where the incense met rain,
and monks smiled softly,
as if they already knew what endurance was.
My wheelchair hums like a quiet engine,
a small rebellion against stillness.
Some stare. Some bow.
I’ve learned both mean: “I see you”.
The streets weren’t built for me,
so I made my own —
in language, in laughter,
in the in-between space
where mixed and Asian meet,
not as halves, but as whole worlds.
Cerebral palsy has taught me patience,
the art of slow transformation:
how motion can begin in thought,
how stillness can move mountains,
how strength isn’t always in the limbs.
I’m not your checkbox,
not your inspirational poster.
I’m sunlight caught in Shinjuku glass,
the echo of drums travelling
from Nigeria to Japan.
I’m the boy who kept moving
even when the world stood still.
Transformation isn’t what happened to me –
it’s what I became:
resilience translated,
a body electric,
rolling forward, always forward,
never letting barrier
be the final word.