Black:
Lacking hue and brightness,
Absorbing light without
Reflecting the rays composed of it,
Enveloped in darkness
Black:
Pertaining to any of the various populations
Characterized by dark skin pigmentation
Of Africa, Oceania, and Australia
Black:
Me. Myself. My ancestors and my posterity.
My lack of ignorance and
Ravenous desire for knowledge,
My need for success.
My curvy body and kinky, knotted hair;
My warm caramel complexion.
The painful history I carry
That is a rusty dagger in my heart
And the salvation of my mind.
For mine is a strong race, built upon back-breaking
Labor and stomach turning injustice.
My voice cannot be silenced by the raging, barking dogs
Or erased by the pulsating forces of a fire hose.
I am a voice that needs to be heard
And demands to be listened to.
A force of nature to be reckoned with.
Behind me is the power of many years
And the siren like sobs of many tears.
Tears shed for
Children and mothers
And fathers and
Sisters and brothers.
For sons dragged from their beds at night
And for daughters dying in a church
Instead of walking down the aisle.
But I prove my worth and create instead.
I am the paint that breaks the monotony
Of the world’s white canvas.
I am the jester, but not for you to
Laugh at me with scorn, but for you to
Marvel at my wit.
And all the world is here to witness
That I AM BLACK
I am not your ideal
Or your preconceived notions.
And that is the true definition of the word.