Raised by Society

I was raised by an inhumane parent,

From her abuse sprouted oppression,

From her abuse sprouted pain,

Her abuse became my own.

Raised by the mixed feelings 

of hurt and confusion 

which run through my veins like blood.

I was raised by the fear of standing out

in the crowd because 

Of the color of my skin. 

I was raised by the pressures of

Society to conform to

the mindset of the Majority. 

Raised to understand the 

importance of not letting 

the color or my skin determine 

my success. 

Raised to acknowledge the importance of my race.