New Poem - 'For a Black Girl'

So Ajax High School is doing this women's empowerment program for one of their Black History Month events and I was asked to do a poem for them. I finally finished writing it! Now it's real conversational so it's the delivery which makes it so much better but still, I want to share the words with whoever is willing to read it :) So check it out!

For a Black Girl

“You know what? You’re very pretty for a Black girl”

Now… what the hell is that supposed to mean?

As if the beauty of black women doesn’t really exist.

Oh, I get it; we aren’t the ‘standard’ so we don’t count.

Living in a society founded on institutions

That sees us as a couple steps behind evolution

Cause we’re nothing but monkeys right?

I look different so I’m that ‘exotic’ type…

As men from different races and places fantasize

With all their crazes about the crazy things I can do! …Well…

But, it’s because of the way I am portrayed

As my kind twists up their waists with smiles of their faces

Ironically of all the places,

Networks like BET promote the degradation of women like me

See I am tired.

With bags under my eyes every time a piece of our dignity dies

As I see young black girls use in between their thighs to justify their worth

So she lies… on her back.

Cause she as too afraid to lift her head and puff up her chest

See diamonds deserve diamonds but she was convinced she deserved less.

And you could tell by the way that she walked and the way that she dressed

That her mentality was foreign to progress and success

Young girl you can do better.

But hold up, wait. See, not only are we ass shakers but we are class failures

Cause “I’m too cool to be an Ontario scholar.

If I’m busy in my books, boys wont even try to holler.”

So… you’re saying your type of man likes you dumb?

You might want to question the type of man you’re taking that from

Cause darling, if he can’t appreciate a beautiful mind

Then he isn’t worth your thoughts let alone your time.

See the most dangerous thing to a society like ours is an educated Black woman

So please don’t fall into the negative stereotype

I’m only going to tell you right

Believe it or not, life is isn’t  on your side.

And there are even teachers who don’t think you’re going to make it

But they sure will fake it. See, they won’t say it to your face

So prove them wrong one day and lift your hands for something other than a bathroom break- for your sake, embrace the privilege of being educated.

It is the most powerful weapon you possess

I cannot stress that enough.

Life will already be hard because of what you are.

Don’t make it worse by compromising who you are.

So when they say shoot for the sky,

No. Take that extra step and reach for the stars

Cause those things are past the planets

And a lot further than they would have planned it

So don’t let no one take you for granted

Not  even yourself.

Cause true wealth lies with what was initially on the shelf

So don’t settle for what’s left.

The right direction only takes the bravery of the 1^st step

Cause you are only as great as you let yourself become

So take those stars that you were aiming for

And let them be your throne

And look down in satisfaction that you did this all on your own

Use the earth as your footstool

Cause it’s your right to rule your life

And use those low expectations as fuel to lift you to new heights

Cause when you think about it.

When you really  think about it.

This is your time. This is your world.

So when they look upon the greatness

Let them know it was created

By who they considered just a ‘Black girl’