Why? | Teen Ink

Why? MAG

By Anonymous

Why must you despise me –
Is it because my skin has been kissed by the sun’s rays?
Are my roots too deep for you,
Or is it my will to find a brighter day?

Why must you look at me with different eyes,
Is it because I stand tall?
My river flows jubilantly with life,
I am Africa, after all.

Why must you hate me,
Is it because my hips are wide like mountains?
My bone structure is thick,
And my love flows like fountains?

Why must you call me names,
And try to deteriorate my race?
Do you really think that it’s that easy
To put me in my place?

When will you realize
That I am proud to be black?
You have never held me down,
And you will never hold me back.



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This article has 37 comments.


on May. 25 2010 at 4:36 pm

The poem is bright!
I'm mixed among races.

I'm black and white.


on Apr. 8 2010 at 7:57 pm
alexandraacreel GOLD, Lorton, Virginia
15 articles 8 photos 20 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears."

I really enjoyed this piece. the last line really shows us just now passionate You're about your topic.it all really speaks to me. thanks for writing it. I absolutely LOVED it! amazing job!

on Mar. 29 2010 at 11:30 am
CountryGothic GOLD, Somersworth, New Hampshire
16 articles 2 photos 206 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Once something has been said, it cannot be said in other words." -Aristotle

I love the poem and therefore have given it 5, but I have a question-What is the story behind the picture you have with it?  I'm just curious.

on Oct. 14 2009 at 10:14 pm
el-oh-el PLATINUM, Maloney Gardens, Other
28 articles 14 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson

this poem speaks to me but the last stanza shouts!

brilliant.

on Oct. 14 2009 at 4:46 pm
Phantom_Girl GOLD, Ft. Carson, Colorado
14 articles 0 photos 279 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If it comes out of the lion's mouth...it will be on the test."
-Mr. Bala

Amazing! It is a great look at racism. I like the line "I am Africa, after all." It's a beautiful poem.

on May. 3 2009 at 3:40 pm
that was awesome and powerful. very good message. Loved it!

E.Lee GOLD said...
on Mar. 19 2009 at 12:56 pm
E.Lee GOLD, Akron, Ohio
15 articles 0 photos 168 comments
i love this!! its so amazing

..it came from the heart..and im with you:)

The Violist said...
on Feb. 13 2009 at 8:11 pm
This is amazing, you have a right to be upset and stand up for yourself!

moniquecheer said...
on Dec. 16 2008 at 10:09 pm
i loved how you compared your hips with mountains. this poem is amazing and true. <33

on Sep. 19 2008 at 4:13 am
absolutely beautiful. breathtaking. keep up the incredible work!

Bee71302 said...
on Aug. 31 2008 at 3:17 am
OMG!!!!!!!!! THIS IS A REALLY GREAT POEM! I LOVE IT!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!!!

CaptainO said...
on Aug. 30 2008 at 10:38 pm
This is a great portrayal of prejudices and racism in the world. The emotion is clear and your word choice and phrases are well thought out, but the third stanza's rhyming didn't "click" like the rest of the stanzas' did. I suppose there isn't a whole lot to rhyme with "mountains", or maybe it's just the number of syllables in each line. It could be that. But other than that, I think you did an outstanding job of addressing such an age-old issue. Keep it up! :D

Tweedle Dee said...
on Aug. 30 2008 at 4:05 pm
you go girl! this poem is sooo awesome!!! love that attitude!

RMD said...
on Aug. 30 2008 at 7:15 am
"Why must you hate me,

Is it because my hips are wide like mountains?

My bone structure is thick,

And my love flows like fountains?"

I feel you should have made this one question instead of two because the second question is not really a separate question. I would put a comma in place of the first question mark and leave the second question mark as it is. But other than that, I really liked the message of the poem.

on Aug. 23 2008 at 5:45 pm
so true... so true...

soxrox said...
on Aug. 22 2008 at 9:25 pm
i love it!!!!!

leisha101 said...
on Aug. 17 2008 at 3:10 am
i love this poem.!!!!!!I KNOW THATS RIGHT KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GIRL