Stand

I’m asking you to stand... you don’t need to rush, but please stand someday. I’m asking you to try, just push to get up, and when you do, smile... because it’s an accomplishment. You never smile when you look in your mirror, so for one time, please grin. take pride and honor in your skin... the caramels, the browns, the ivories, the reddish tint. Concentrate and cherish the aged shade that you’ve been sent. For I assure you, you’re breathtaking; because everytime I look at you I feel myself breathing faster. When you’re looking in that mirror, would you please love your hair? Run your fingers through the curls for me, and feel the history that binds there. It’s okay if you’ve fell to chemicals, if you've had a perm or two... as long as you love who you are I’ll love to love all of you. I’m begging you, my love... to please look into your eyes... a mirror is a reflection, you’re eyes reflect what’s deep inside. Substance is in you, promise me you’ll remember that. All our bashful, brown eyed babies want blue and green contacts. What they need is eye contact, with themselves, and with others... so that they can stare and hopefully see how awe-worthy they are... The media, the new fads, modeling adds... gang meets, and deranged streets sicken me. “I’ll be who I’ll be.” Oh you’ll be who you’ll be... but who you are was fine to begin with! A continental drift straight away from Africa, where apparently we’re all Kings and Queens, please be who you’ll be, although first try being who you are. Centuries of burning scars engraved into our back, the mirror reflecting our background’s sullen cracks. I’m asking you to wear those scars proudly, those left by a vicious whip’s tip. See yourself, my beautiful person, and my person... get a beautiful grip! We’re not plagued by a cream skinned man, our destiny, our future, it’s all in your hands. That’s why I said get a grip, and hold tight, hold on to who we’ll be... seeming you’re so proud of it. I’m urging you to be yourself... I’m your conscience, I know what you think. How racist remarks just eat at your spirit, and the equality that blocks that brink. You said I’m only a little voice... a soul that speaks and rejoices... and can rot if you had your way. I know you don’t believe me now, because you’ve never believed in yourself. For that’s exactly who I am, you. Still, make me promise, when you finally look in that mirror, and see the beauty I see... I’ll be asking you stand, so please stand up with me.