Black
by Eric (4th grade)
What does it mean to be black
if in fact being black
can be tracked or attached
to a particular language or how one should act?
What kind of clothes should we wear?
And our hair, yes, our beautiful hair?
Keep it long or afro-pick it.
Or shave it all bare.
What kind of words should we use?
Speaking cold secret shoes.
Do we seek to amuse?
Do we cry? Do we lose?
How can we explain all the laughter and pain?
So can I be wrong if I seek out the plan, to be seen as a wise intelligent man?
To be black, to be brown,
to be yellow, or gray,
what does it mean to be black?
2005
I Hear Quietness
P396K
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