I was born an African, and that I cannot change
But I have been despised, because of the colour of my skin
I have been called many names, such as Black and Sambo
Even African American, because of the colour of my skin
Due to the sun, my pigmentation becomes dark
But many do not accept me, because of the colour of my skin
Even many like me, do not realize the importance
Of the darker skin tone, because of the colour of my skin
It does not even matter, whether I am educated
Society has not acknowledged me, because of the colour of my skin
Even though I have invented, and have even discovered
It just doesn’t matter, because of the colour of my skin
I’m an athlete and a dancer, a song writer and a singer
But my contributions don’t matter, because of the colour of my skin
My ancestors originated, from the richest continent
But my worth doesn’t count, because of the colour of my skin
Why should it matter, where I was born?
You will never accept me, because of the colour of my skin
You expect me to change, even my language and physique
Just to suit your expectations, because of the colour of my skin
I have been tortured, I have been burnt
I have even been spat on, because of the colour of my skin
I have been whipped, and I have been ridiculed
I have even been raped, because of the colour of my skin
For all of my inventions, you have taken the credit
Not even being truthful, because of the colour of my skin
In spite of your tactics, you just can’t prevent
Even your own politics, will not change the colour of my skin
Great piece of work. For those of us who have forgotten our self-worth, and languish under the psychological and mental trauma of the “other people”, this is a refreshing reminder of who we are, and who we can be. Our African heritage has bestowed us with greatness, but a lot of us don’t know this. We need to stand as one people, unified in our determination to achieve the heritage, and legacy that has been intentionally stolen from us. Big up Cuzz, you have done well.
Skin color should be a non-issue. No one gets to put in their order to the creator before they are born as to what color they want to be. People need to stop with the nonsense. No one should be evaluated based on race or skin color, but rather on who they actually are and what they have done. Judgement is not for man to do.
It remains that we are a unique people wherever we are. We need to appreciate each other more than we have been doing. Great poem
Stop feeling sorry for yourself. A black cow gives white milk. The problem lies with your attitude. You were born with 49 ounces of brain like the rest of us. Forget the one bedroom business and move on.
Well done Philanda. This is what poetry is all about: challenging concepts.
Some years ago my daughter Tania wrote a poem on a similar theme. It was titled, “The Colour of Her Soul”.
Once upon a time, A man invited all World leaders to a meeting to discuss our wealth. The man stood up and said, the third largest island in the West Indies with 305 square miles,60 thousand population,365 rivers, rich in soil. A member stood up and asked, Where is that place? He answered DOMINICA. All the world leaders throw in their credentials. A born Antiguan stood up and replied, this man is an APPLE, black on the outside but white in the inside, another said, there no papers on the table, we are all gentlemen. They gave to the two leaders a sword each and said, fight to the death, the one who survived is the true leader. One knock down the other four times, but refuse to kill him and said, let him live. This story is true, that man was Roosevelt Skerrit PM for Dominica.