Am I Really Pretty

“ You know, 

You're really pretty,

For a black girl”

I was young 

but I was no fool.

That stung, I just didn’t know why.

For a long time, I wished I could be 

Just pretty.

No strings attached.

For a long time,

the definition of beauty was paralleled.

I was either pretty,

or I was black.

I had no inspiration to change my thinking.

I had no one to tell me 

You're pretty BECAUSE you're black.

And that me being  a nice dark caramel completion,

Was all I needed. The beauty lied within there. 

So I started telling myself.

I started redefining the definition.

When I started walking more confidently,

And radiating positive energy,

I knew I was maturing.

I knew I was growing. 

Now I look at all the beautiful, 

And vibrant, 

African American women in the media

And feel like I belong. 

Like I too, 

Am beautiful.

- Trinity L Walker.