"You're pretty for a black girl" they say
The compliment gurgles in their stomach
As the acid climbs its way up their throat,
And is spat out as an insult
An incompletely digested thought
Planted into their minds by society.
As if being black wasn't hard enough.
Why are "light skin" girls praised as idols
As if the honey droplets in their skin
Is lighter on the eyes
Rather than the skin that reflects the night
Please explain if I am the only one
Who can see we are all beautiful
And if our roots were traced back in time
I could have sworn we shared tears aboard the slave ship
Tied down in the shackles of self hatred
Therefore I will NOT separate
The pigmentation of our nation
With the narrow minded phrase
"Light skin vs. dark skin"
Because last time I checked, we're all black
Don't rely on the caramel that seeped into their melanin
To determine the pureness of one's heart
Not only did our ancestors fight for our rights,
Our equality, but to be proud of the skin we have
So let's congratulate ourselves
for successfully segregating each other
like it was once done before,
A toast because our complexion does NOT
And WILL NOT define us
Our identity is much more than insignificant colors.
If we slit our wrists, maybe then it'll become clear
We don't bleed out caramel or chocolates
But blood red.