Smile

I wanna be happy

I wanna smile, and mean it

I don’t wanna be afraid

But that’s so hard when you’re in a world

That doesn’t want the same

They tell you to be yourself

But when you do it’s not good enough

Conformity

That’s all they want

Don’t be unique, that’s not meant for you

You’re black and smart?

That’s an oxymoron

You’re black, a female, and smart?

Oh no, time to oppress

You can’t be better than what’s laid out for you

Stick to the norm

Smile, be polite, act smart but not too smart

Then you’ll sound white

Oh no you have natural hair?

I think you need to straighten that

When will I ever be good enough?!

Yes I’m black, a female, and smart

You gotta problem?

No, I’m not gonna conform

Yes I’m gonna be unique

Your words and definitions don’t define me

It’s my time to be happy

It’s my time to smile, and mean it