reborn

She said,

"Not that I'm hatin’ on you

but you're thinkin' my job is to

placate you, and I'm thinkin’

my job is to vacate you.

I've seen the sit-ins and the

back of the busses, seen the front

of the busses, too, and the view ain't

no better up there.

I've read Marcus and Malcolm and

Langston and Lorraine and Ralph and

Martin and James and Maya and Toni and

concluded that all them words

just gimme a damn headache.

I now know why so many white folk got such

a thrill outta watchin' "Roots," and I've

made love to Kunte Kinte a million times and

been his bride at least as many times.

I've cried for Dorothy and Josephine and

Billie and Butterfly McQueen, and I've paid

my debt to jungle fever and given birth to

children who will pass.

I've witnessed the Lord first, second, and

third hand and seen his miracles whip us into

a frenzy, but I don't have a clue why He ain't

given us our peace of heart yet.

Forgive me, Malcolm, forgive me, Martin,

but I'm still alone, still fighting,

still shackled, still in love, but still confused.

My color, content, and character have survived,

but at what point will I know when I've truly arrived?

Affirmative action keeps me educated, but so what,

I'm the only Person of Color in the Humanities Department.

My brothers and sisters assume I'm a token

simply because I'm so well-spoken.

I'm alive, I will survive, and I sure enuf ain't no midwife.

With or without you, I will never be all about you, and

as long as your tongue keeps me from climbin' your rungs,

I will be content to be your worst malcontent 'cause my intent

is to put a dent in your pent-up guilt and watch your ego wilt.

Share that."

Reviews

[Philip Gaber]

Forgot. "Why do colour palettes still bleed and bruise?" Gorgeous.

[Philip Gaber]

Thanks. I was wondering if black people come for me for committing the utter sin of writing about a woman of color. This is an amalgamation of all the black female friends of mine and they would surely have my back. Not only that, black women love me and I love them. Not in a jungle fever way. I just think they are so damn funny. They are among the funniest creatures on this planet. Thanks, Emma, always appreciate your perspective. Very typically English. And I adore it.

[emmajoygreen]

Writing as writing should be. Inspiring, raw honest words which say what needs be said and - vitally, TRUE in any and all forms. Is it answered yet? Has it been? Why do colour palettes still bleed and bruise?