A Black Person’s Life

by Jasmine
(7th grade)

Negative

There was a time when there were slaves
Who were treated wrong even when they behaved
My ancestors were beaten, whipped and killed
They became angered, soulless and people who had no will
They didn’t do anything wrong or bad
But the Europeans and Salesmen were glad
Because they would sell my people
Like a common Colorado potato beetle

Positive

But look at us now
We are strong and proud…oh wow
We are free
We can be who we want to be
Although they still look down on us
We will give them plenty more to discuss

Impossible

Nowadays people still judge us for who we are
Without even knowing we are not subpar
So you may ask what we can do
My answer would be “I don’t have a clue”
All we can do is what they say
I wish they could be nice and come out to play
We don’t bite nor scratch
We are actually a pretty good match.

Possible

We may not be getting along right now
But there is still plenty of hope to bestow
Because the president we have today isn’t so good
We should live our life to the fullest with no falsehood
We are going to make a change
Even though some may think it’s a bit strange
That people like me
Can change what America’s future will be

2017
Identity & Action: Poems from the Present to the Future
IS 392, Brooklyn, NY
Edited by Erika Luckert, writer‐in‐residence

Erika Luckert 

Erika Luckert is a poet, educator, and scholar. Her research focuses on writing pedagogies at the intersection of composition and creative writing, with an emphasis on social and collaborative practice. Erika’s recent work includes articles in Pedagogy, Journal of Creative Writing Studies, and Writing on the Edge, as well as poems in North American Review, Contemporary Verse 2, Waxwing, and elsewhere. Originally from Edmonton, Canada, Erika is currently an assistant professor of English and the director of composition at the University of Southern Mississippi.