Our Africa.

 

Proud of the supposed “color”

That they claim I exhibit,

A regular tattoo parlor

That they provide

Etching their perceptions

On my skin

And its particular pigment.

Notice unwary stares,

As you enter restaurants

Unsettled in their chairs,

Am I supposed to be afraid?

Or somewhat intimidated?

The very thought process

Is nothing more than out-dated.

Best to speak up

A little more exertion

In your racist remarks,

Not really geared

To be a mind reader,

Reckless in my approach

Hardly afraid of people’s thoughts.

Self-aware of my position,

Unhinged from social constructs,

The patronizing, the analyzing,

Made from many pieces and parts

That do not, and will not

Have a place in society’s

Endless supply

Of cultural hierarchies.

Fellow brothers and sisters

The scramble for Africa

And mention of Slavery

Should halt, unforgivable,

As they may be

Are not our niche,

History’s

Gracefully provided leash

On our identity

And who we truly are.

I will not be defined by the past

Just like it sounds

Its already passed,

That was the first chapter

I’m not moving backwards

My story is only destined

To move forward.

– Original-Dante

The artist can be found here: http://cyzeal.deviantart.com/