I Am

I am from a country that fears my people

I am from a place where some people think colored skin can rub off

I am from a place that forces girls to hide their face because their beauty doesn’t match America’s ideal

I am from a place where people think wearing weave means you’re bald

I am from a place where black teens get shot for having hoodies on

I am from a place where mothers worry about their sons

I am from a country that has had 8 school shootings in the past year

I am from a place where guns solve most problems

I am from a place where girls wear less to attract more

But what my country fails to realize is there’s much more

I am someone that’ll never hurt a fly

I am proud of my melanin skin that glows when the sunbeams

I am a girl that loves my face no matter how big some features may be

I am a girl that snatches her friend's hoodie off because of fear

I am a female that prays for all students to stay protected

I am a girl that knows education is my strongest weapon

I am a girl that covers up because beauty is within

I am filled with blood that traces back to slaves, warriors, and queens

I see the beauty within me, but darkness within my country