YES I'M BLACK!

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Yes I'm black, that doesn't mean I'm vulnerable to attack,
I'm just like you, a human, red blood, emotions and a moving figure,
Why should you treat me like I'm about to pull a trigger?
I didn't create sagging, I didn't create gang banging so why would you want to 
put the worst on me?
To get me jailed, tortured, and then to set me free?
 
My shadow is scared to walk beside me. Yes, because my shadow is black. 
Walking to school to get my education, and they want to search my backpack. 
It doesn’t matter how long you live, but the way you live.
Having and living life is my greatest gift.
 
Are we recognized for what we have done? We will surely be recognized if we walk the streets with a gun.
People are scared to accept their ethnicity,
Because the color of our skin decide our destiny.
But my destiny is to stay strong, and fight not physically but verbally.
I don't have to be Alfred Austin to develop words of wisdom and passion
But I can be another student who stands to speak his mind and let it free.
 
We are not perfect; we all have done wrong at times 
We all don’t shine, but when we spot success we will surely climb
Getting an education to make legal dine is a no for them, they prefer to see us do crime.
 
Our first step as males is to have a respectful personality, 
Pull up your pants and lets all face reality and understand that a man can't 
ride your back unless it’s bent. 
And for a bigger step we all shall repent.
 
Very often black teenager's face grazes the metal fences and concrete walls, while being tortured by cops
If you’re passing by and you’re black think again if you want to stop
You will have more finger print than you ever had in your paint book,
They will put charges on you that have occurred way before you were on earth.
They will throw you in jail, kick, spit and treat you like dirt. 
 
This isn’t about the rhyme, because I would surely do it all the time.
But thank you if I have kept your attention‎​.
 
Being black wasn’t a choice or intention 
I’m already black, there is no correction,
I will keep living up! No way my life will be a recession!
 
 
 
 

[ ART AND POEM BY ME: JERMINE HODGE ]

Guide that inspired this poem: 
7 Tips for Writing Poetry on Civil Rights

Comments

ceciliacruz15

10 years ago

I really like the way you  wrote this  

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you i appreciate. Kindly share with your friends

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you i appreciate. Kindly share with your friends

ring keeper

10 years ago

would love to see this rapped

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you i appreciate. Kindly share with your friends

mfreels96

10 years ago

This is honestly beautiful. It would also be interesting to hear it rapped.

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you i appreciate. Kindly share with your friends

Ladasia G

10 years ago

I loved this! iIve been wanting to hear something like this forever!!! Fantastic job!

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you i appreciate. Kindly share with your friends

thatonegirlnamedrenae

10 years ago

You should make a beat and rap it.

I love this the feeling and message can be applyed to any life experience. I love the honesty--it sucks to think it honest but it is. 

jerminehodge

10 years ago

 Thank you i appreciate. Kindly share with your friends. I would love to rap on it just need a beat :)

ammber_alert

10 years ago

Really powerful! Makes you think! Forsurelly great!

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank You

sharonturner502

10 years ago

Really powerful!

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you very much

Feelmywords

10 years ago

This is beautiful and speaks nothing but truth.

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you :)

victoriachidi

10 years ago

Good job ! I enjoyed it and yes I am black and not ashamed 

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you :)

jjdoggirl10

10 years ago

It's amazing!

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you , please share with your friends and family :)

GJACKSON

10 years ago

I absolutely love this, the title itself caught my attention. 

taleesuddy

10 years ago

Yesssss!!!! I can really feel where you're coming from with this poem, being African-American myself. You painted a mental picture for me, pinpointing on serious details of how black people are treated on the regular. I really appreciate this poem. Great job!

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you very much

sydneyalanna

10 years ago
"a man can't 
ride your back unless it’s bent." is my favorite line in this poem. It really shows that no one can take advantage of you unless you let them and to be a strong individual no matter what. Good job!

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you very much

myahendrix

10 years ago

This is so beautiful and descriptive. It reminds me that I am not the only one struggling.

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you very much, and we can all relate.

TORY WHITE

10 years ago

IM BLACk ANd IM pROud

i love how you speak on the socail injustices and streotpes that black youth face in this corrupt society check out my poem graffition a wall the stuggle and the politics that follow and tell me what you think

jerminehodge

10 years ago

Thank you very much

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