I am black
but I am not a black
I am voluptuous
but I am not a rack
I am sexy
but I am not
just a good time in the sack
I am black
but I am not a black

I'm no brain
but I'm pretty sure I'm smart
and I'm no beauty
but just like you
I'm a living work of art -
you try to put me in a slot
but you cannot
know where to start
except I'm human
with a spirit and a heart

so pardon me if I neglect
to "shoot mad hoops" like you'd expect
or use a certain dialect
or sing
or rap
or braid my hair
or threaten to "pop a cap" in you if you stare
or squeeze out the babies
and collect my welfare -

see, I don't need to act a certain way to prove I'm black
and I don't need to look at every day as an attack
and I don't need to live the way you say because the fact
is I am black
but I am not a black.

07/10/2006

Author's Note: color is not a noun. it's an adjective.

Posted on 07/10/2008
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