Tales of a Colored Woman

When I walk through the door what do you see?

The coke bottle curves or the God in me?

The swing of my hips or a spirit set free?

I am a woman, a colored woman, you see?

Full of sassy grace at a medium pace

Chest held high with a mocha face

When you see me, you’d better know your place

I am a woman, a colored woman, you see?

I walk with the knowledge that I am unique

A special kind of chocolate, no not Hershey

I know that my black Queens before me did not have my possibilities

My world is now full of opportunity

I am a woman, a colored woman, you see?

I am a type that holds a crown between my thighs

I am mine

I walk with a genuine kind of self pride

I’m sorry if I’m not shy about who I am on the outside

But I am a woman, colored woman, you see?

I’m proud to say I’m like Oprah in a way

Like Rosa in a way

to know that I shouldn’t be ashamed of my race

The idea that light skin is better than dark skin is a disgrace

because there may be 50 shades of grey but there is only one shade of black

Its those kind of stereotypes we need to attack

Because we are women, colored women, you see?

So baby girl, why hide your face?

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

Our women once put out for trade and expected only to obey

Abused, raped and tortured, yet we continued to pray

Prayed for the freedom that we have today

That is why I am pleased to say that

I am a woman, the colored woman you see.