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I'm a Black Man


What am I? Who am I?
 
I'm a black man
 
That's what society tells me
 
Even though my hue is brown, they say there's no way around
 
Being a black man
 
Dedicated like Malcolm X, wise like Fredrick Douglass, "the best" like Ali
 
I'm a black man
 
Shot down like MLK, broken, bloodied, fighting for life like Kunta Kinte
 
I'm a black man
 
All the races love me, all the races fear me
 
'Cause I'm a black man
 
Am I a gangster or the president?
Slave or a free man?
Ignorant or intelligent?
 
I'm a black man
 
Protecting my brothers and sisters, watching all around
Are you an ally or here to put me down?
 
'Cause I'm a black man
 
The unknown at every turn
Will you help me change the world or stand and watch me burn?
 
I'm a black man
                                             - Charles E. Taylor, III
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