What It Means To Be Black To Me

Illumination

Someone asked me, ‘What does it mean to be black?” What do you see when you look back?

500 years later and we are still under attack

I see freedom denied From the body and the mind But the invisible chains remain Used to keep us contained But we will fight to the death Until our last breath

I see ignorance Because without the power of knowledge we don’t stand a chance

I see suffering, allowed to go on longer and longer More than 500 years later Our lives still don’t matter But our labor and skills have made many countries, hearts and lives richer and richer

I see and feel pain That has been raging again and again Because laws enacted to deny My people the right to get by

I see hatred because of my skin And I wonder, “Is it my sin?” Like a rope, it gets longer and longer Reaching us no matter where we wander Destroying us even from around the corner

I see hunger, No education or jobs to feed our family, our existence in danger Denied basic rights, no wonder Because food will make us stronger And then we will fight back and become the challenger

I see homelessness Forced into Poverty by racial injustice made our lives and living a mess But we know life is a test And my people’s body, mind, and soul are the strongest

I see death fighting to eliminate Not caring if it’s too early or too late But we will survive even if we are the last one through the gate

I see oppression everywhere, but we are still going Because survive we must, and that’s what we are good at doing No matter the odds We live and work with the strength and power of our God

I see fear and the message is clear That those in power just don’t care But we are strong and will bare All of their truth and dare

Being black It seems as if we are always under attack No blacks welcome here There or anywhere

But I see good things too Because evil and good must pay their due

I see strength rising from hearts, souls, and minds Because living with so much pain we must find a way or a reason not to stay behind I see resilience, people surviving all of the odds Living and enduring with the love of God

I see my people forgiving But refused to be reliving Slavery and all of what’s it’s bringing

I see dignity and pride In history they tried to hide But we know the truth And we will be telling all the youths Passing from ears to mouth East, West, North, and South

We are humans treated without humanity Which have become laws, habits, and practices Running around for centuries In many continent and countries That must stop because we will be coming Walking, or running #WEINTEND2SURVIVE Despite the hatred, cruelty, and strive You put into our daily lives But I see victory coming from all sides Because we will not resign! My strength is my power And I am proud to be black every second, minute and hour

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you will enjoy it.

Below are a few of today’s inspirations

https://mediumauthor.com/@thisisanneliselords

https://mediumauthor.com/podcast

medium.com/illumination/interview-with-annelise-lords-421238e49b9f