The Melanin Within

I am proud of my skin

But in another’s eye

I am seen more as dead than alive

They should feel ashamed 

As my fellow brothers and sisters hang

Though I have a voice

I shall not speak

For I will be the next who has
accepted defeat

¨You’re free now,¨ they said

If you can torture me and put chains
on my feet?

I shall not run, I shall not hide

And only your rules I shall abide

“Can’t take it much longer”

Growing weaker not stronger

My image is hurt

Shovels deep in the dirt

Working day and night

Feeling weak, I can’t fight

“GET BACK TO WORK N***ER”

Seeing past my human figure

Please, stop calling me “black”

And putting scars on my back

Why can’t you see, I am just like you

But you dumb me down and act like

I am the fool