I took a walk
Once
By a quiet stream
Away from you.

I could let my mind forget the times
You looked at me cold
Just because I was black
And you weren't--
But I can't forget.

I can remember
When you spit in my face
Telling me to go back
To where I came from.

Why do you hate me so?
I'm just like you--
I'm a young woman
With hopes and dreams--
I'm just like you...

Do you even know my name?
Why do you let my skin color
Turn you away from
The Christian faith you claim to have.

Do you even understand
The meaning of equality?
You should--
It's in the Bible.

My mama told me when I was young
Not to hate nobody
And that someday
The racism would go away.

And, that one time, before you took it away
The stream was the one place
I found the peace with the world--
And myself.

I know now that I don't have to change
Into the person you wanted me to
Because I've never done anything to you
To deserve for you to treat me
The way you do.