avatarKSH

Summary

The web content is a poignant reflection on the radical nature of Black existence and resistance, intertwined with the Black Lives Matter movement, as expressed through poetry.

Abstract

The article titled "Poetry + Black Lives Matter" delves into the radical essence of Black life and struggle, questioning why assertions of Black identity, worth, and mental health are perceived as radical in society. Through powerful verse, the author, KS Hernandez, challenges the status quo, emphasizing the right to self-determination, the value of Black lives beyond their utility to others, and the importance of reclaiming personal time and agency. The poem confronts societal expectations and systems of oppression, highlighting the resilience and autonomy of Black individuals. It also touches on the themes of Afropessimism and the continuous fight for racial justice, acknowledging the work of other writers and activists in the field.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that the mere act of prioritizing their mental health and well-being is considered radical for Black individuals.
  • The poem expresses frustration with the expectation for Black people to perform labor and conform to societal roles for validation and worth.
  • The text criticizes the dehumanization of Black people, particularly Black women, as evidenced by the reference to the shooting of "Jane."
  • There is a strong assertion of the right to choose one's own path, rejecting the imposition of motherhood, marriage, or subservience to men.
  • The author emphasizes the intrinsic value of Black lives and time, independent of their contribution to others' wealth or satisfaction.
  • The piece acknowledges the ongoing struggle for Black American womxn to find safe spaces, suggesting that such spaces are often empty promises.
  • It conveys a sense of exhaustion and the need for a sabbatical, hinting at the mental toll of constant resistance and activism.
  • The author shows gratitude towards other writers and activists who contribute to the discourse on racial justice and Afropessimism.

Poetry + Black Lives Matter

Radical

Is my existence radical?

Photo by Jazmin Quaynor on Unsplash

There is no antagonism like the antagonism between Black people and the world.- Frank Wilderson iii

Why is my life radical my strife radical for me to say I matter to reject a meager wage working for damn near nothing radical

Is it radical that I put my mental health first that I not break all the way down first to meet your deadline or to prove my worth

if I don’t win your treasures maybe I’m nothing in your eyes

if I’m not the prized steed racing, turning my heals over for you if I throw a shoe does that mean I’m through

is my ass radical if it’s not making money for you don’t belong to you provocative to you

is my money radical if it don’t fatten your pockets if my bag skyrockets

is reclaiming my time radical if it means you’re not in it no longer wasting my mind my time IT’S MINE

I have the seeds of whole worlds inside me everything to salvage something to lose It’s my right to choose

we don’t need to push and pull when you see Jane run let that bitch run run Jane run run bitch run

where the fuck was she going anyway fifteen bullets in her back if she the wrong shade

you grind your wheels to a smooth stone fine just leave us alone

Why is it radical for me to say I’m not a hoe to say no to motherhood marriage settling down or to a man

you understand

Why is my existence radical

damn

got a sista needing a sabbatical

©KS Hernandez 2021

A few important pieces to read just in case you thought the fight was over. Thank you. Arturo Dominguez Ajah Hales Q U I N T E S S A for always bringing the fire and the receipts and to Hal H. Harris for introducing me to Afropessimism.

Racism
Forms Prompt
Black Women
Reproductive Rights
LGBTQ
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