What Would I Tell the Children Who Aren’t Black

Senyah Haynes

What Would I Tell the Children Who Aren’t Black Mind your own journey, your own struggles, or lack thereof And please don’t contribute to the struggles of my child

What Would I Tell the Children Who Aren’t Black I know your mama and daddy love you But please trust and believe that not all of their words are wise And know that when they speak ill of my children Especially sight unseen It’s a safe bet that 100% of their words are lies

What Would I Tell the Children Who Aren’t Black Different isn’t lesser than Just think, from where my children stand You’re very different too

I would tell them that you are undoubtedly the future And you have a gleaming moment in the present to be Exquisitely unlike your history- Please, rise to the occasion

What Would I Tell the Children Who Aren’t Black Just as you were spoon fed your own preciousness My babies are equally precious too So be the difference your ancestors dreaded And mine could only dream of