Becoming Visible

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An Introduction To Memoirs Written In

AUTHORS CIRCLE

Dear Reader, Authors Circle is a co-created space to see and be seen, to listen and be heard, and to reflect and grow as human beings, community members and writers. The process of reflecting upon identity and growth, discrimination and injustice, and the power of love is intense and meaningful. Candidly sharing one’s experiences with others takes bravery, and can be healing and empowering for all involved. Be brave. Expand your comfort zone. Embrace feedback. These are some of the Authors Circle Values that inform the shared journey of various Ralph Ellison students and teachers that ultimately resulted in this exquisite book. This collection of pieces represent the exuberance, passion and wisdom of Authors who dedicated themselves to carving out time to share their gifts, hopes, fears, dreams and authentic selves with each other. In publishing their work, they are sharing with the world. It is our hope that you are moved, challenged and inspired by the personal growth and risks reflected in this compilation of memoirs by pioneering Authors. Readers near and far benefit from their brave voices and honest musings. We hope you find universal truths in the revelations they share. These Authors are daring to be visible, daring you to see them for who they truly are.

Peace and Purpose,

Johnny Page & Lisa Kenner

ConTextos Authors Circle Facilitators


Temperature

I'

Ta t i a n a

m starting to sweat but I continue to sit. I continue to sit through this pain and desperation of a city where a person can care less about the next, and doing a random drive-by is cool, and not trying to rhyme but these kids can care less about school. But as I sit even more, my blood begins to boil and sweat is dripping. Dripping like the blood of an innocent victim's body on my hands, but I didn’t do the crime. Is it guilt, a connection, or knowing the feeling of: Can I be next? I sit through the violence and cries out for help. Yet it is ignored, ignored like the murders that were unsolved and families waiting on “that answer.” I feel the heat rush through my body like that bullet did when it took that young person’s life. My city is full of could-have-beens because their life was put to an end. Just another trigger-happy individual who wanted revenge. Another death on the news. Another "long live" hashtag. Another mother crying because she lost her child... Then I exploded because my city never got the help it deserved. Kids looking for a way out but never met that goal. Adults giving up instead of growing this city. But all I could do is sit and watch and watch this city I truly love burn down within itself because of the mistakes we made and continue to make. Temperature.


Imagination Cenovia

A

flower. Planted in this world and left to grow. No water, sunlight, or love. Yellow? Black? Red? Pink? What color will she be? No one knew, yet the flower grew. Along the way she lost a few leaves and yet she still grew and grew and no one could understand why. Well I know. This flower noticed early on what she lacked but needed. She created her own water. Found her own sunlight and learned to love herself. That flower is me. I’ve grown, I’ve taught myself to grow, and I will continue to grow no matter what I lack.


KIERA

I

am from soul. From cotton and grass, I am from the house full of glass, Vibrant, clean, smell of collard greens. I am from sunflowers, Tall, independent, and graceful. I’m from cook-offs and tough love. From Wanda Jo and Velma C. I’m from helpful and reliable, From "keep it up" and "it’s all yours." I’m from Christianity and praise. I’m from Chicago with a hint of Alabama, Fried chicken and potato salad.


Butterfly Mariah

F

ree. Beautiful. Adventurous. All of the above, embodiment of the word butterfly. I wish I could be a butterfly. In a way I am a butterfly, caterpillar = baby-toddler, cocoon = teen years, hatching = transitioning into adulthood. I haven’t quite met my butterfly stage. I’m kind of scared. What if instead of a butterfly I become a moth, the leech of the butterfly family?


CHANEL

I

I am from writing, From pencils first and pens next. I am from my aunt’s back home with my mom and cousin, Shiny, fresh, safe. I am from roses and sunflowers, Yellow fresh and smooth petals. I’m from loving. From baking banana and chocolate chip muffins. I’m from the travel far and never miss school, From "don’t talk to strangers" and "watch who you love." I’m from used to go to church and want to go back because sad stuff comes off your mind. I’m from Chicago, Celery, almonds, and hot chips. I’m from jumping on the bunk bed in Wisconsin with my cousin. I still have the scar.


Crazy LaKayla

E

veryone call me crazy.

Am I crazy because I stick up for myself? Am I crazy because I never back down? Am I crazy because I use self defense? Am I crazy because my words tend to hurt others? Am I crazy because I don’t let people run over me? Or am I crazy because I smile? I guess I’m crazy.


Be loud in a room of silence. — Mariah

More kindness offered. Less given back. — Kayla

Almost lost myself, but confidence grew. — Tatiana


Loud Mykila

E

veryone call me loud.

I am loud because I want to be heard. I am loud because I need people to listen. I am loud because I’m open. I am loud because I’m not afraid of who I am. Loud is me and me is Loud.


LAZENYA

I

am from Church, From Bible study and early Sunday service. I am from the old country, North Carolina Country, love, filled with laughter. I am from the forest, Filled with trees, grasses, And animals in the backyard. I’m from Thanksgiving dinners And Christmas dinners. From Fa and Kinsman. I’m from Christianity and God is the saviour. I’m from "save yourself" And "you can be anything." I’m from California with parents from Chicago. Potato salad, baked chicken. From the story of my mom Running away with her love of her life. From knowing a family I never knew.


Freedom

A

Bryan

n African-American

What that mean to me I don’t even know But I’m tryna get a degree People don’t even know about their history Out here selling drugs Like life has no meaning They gone keep on disobeying laws As if they have no brain at all But I know yo momma taught you well You shouldn’t even be up in this cell You need to go Rethink your life Cause deep down inside You know this don’t feel right Pick up a book once in a while


Learn about your history and make yo momma proud Learn about Dr. King and Frederick Douglass Those were the people who was actually struggling If you break the law It better be for a worthy cause Like fighting for your rights Or things not fair at all Police brutality and gun violence ain’t solved Black on black crime This needs to be fixed 'Cause this isn’t cool Nor building walls for immigrants But I wanna know What does African-American mean to you An African-American, what that mean to me We are segregated but we are still free.


This I Believe: Ever Evolving

I

Sherwanna a.k.a. Queen

don’t know who I am. I don’t know if I’ll ever evolve into someone who could stop changing every minute of every day. I can’t stick to only one emotion that truly tells other people and myself who I am or what defines me. I believe that I have to ‘‘find myself’’ in order to even care or pay attention to others and their self-discovery because no matter what we all will still be evolving into new people, experiencing new emotions and characteristics through life. Honestly I don’t think people in general will ever stop changing because when we go through life we adjust to our true selves. We are only discovering ourselves even more. I feel that humans are an evolving race of individuals that is still ‘‘testing the water’’ to see what we want and what we can do to benefit our life as a whole. I feel that I am only going to get better at solving complicated problems I will face in the world as I get older. I feel that life is like what Bounty Davis said, "We all are ever-changing / A simple thought is ever-changing / Growing into an idea always ever-changing / Creating delusions of ever-changing poisoned looks hating the ever-changing turn of your ever-changing hair and your everchanging moods and your ever-changing eyes / A simple ever-changing thought can destroy a simple ever-changing mind." I think life is full of self discovery that we have to take advantage of in order to fulfill the our need to accomplish everlasting knowledge about ourselves.


SOMMER

I

am from shoes, From Jordans and Odor Eaters spray powder. I am from the party-hosting, family-loving house, Traditional, contemporary. I am from roses and lilies, Soft and pretty. I’m from Sunday dinners and the loud family, From Noah and Lily. I’m from the generosity and humbleness, From funny and sweetness. I’m from Christianity, baptism. I’m from Chicago. Macaroni, Italian sausage, and shrimp gumbo. From the slipping on bathtubs and choking on hard candy.


I'm Not Afraid Cenovia

Y

ou would think that this melanin was the sun shining bright, the way their faces scrunch up as if we’re blinding them. Or that this melanin was a weapon, the way they feel so obligated to project themselves against it. Have you ever thought about this melanin being dangerous because they just can’t seem to stop trying to eliminate it? And last but not least maybe the melanin might be illegal based on how they scrutinize it before they incarcerate it.

We’re the sun shining bright, we’re the weapon because we don’t need them, we’re dangerous because we’re fearless, and they want us to be illegal because they know with us on their team we will outshine them. We will outshine them. Unlike them I am not afraid of my melanin, it does not scare me.


Roses are more than just red. — Mariah

Scared of what's next. Future self. — Tatiana

Some children need adult friends, too. — Cenovia


Daddy I Never Had LaKayla

I

t was summer of 2018, my day of graduation. It was the happiest moment in my life because I always thought I wasn’t going to graduate. That day I walked across the stage is the day everything changed. I saw my dad after five years and yeah I really missed him but after that day I haven’t seen him anymore. A couple months have passed. I texted him and contacted him to see if he was ok because I had a dream that he was dead and I had played a game which said he was my guardian angel who was watching over me. That day he told me he wasn’t my dad and to not contact him anymore. I was hurt so bad I cried for three weeks but I’m okay because I still have my mom and all the rest of my family in my corner.


When I asked, you said NO. — Cenovia


Growing Up With No Father Mykila

L

eaving out for school walking

Further Further Further Things going great Aww... You want to know? Well that’s a little too late I’m all grown up now I Am All Grown Up Days went past without you Never noticed, I wasn’t thinking You missed out big because You left me My colors shine bright like diamonds You’ll never get to see


SHERWAN

I

am from Talent, From Instagram and Facebook. I am from the house of color, Fields, cotton, cheering. I am from dandelions, That’s soft and peaceful. I’m from reunions and hard work, From Elizabeth and Christina. I’m from the challenges and assistance, From keep pushing yourself and you can do it. I’m from praying, having faith. I’m from Chicago, Seafood, chicken. From the dances we made up To the arguments that blew up. I'm from blood, sweat, and tears. From "keep going, you got this" To “don't give up” and “quitting is not allowed.” I'm from home away from home To you're always welcome here. I am from a lot of things that I'm proud of.


Out The Loop

M

Sommer

ay 17th, 2019, 81st & California, 5:45p.m. Everybody is wearing a blue shirt with gold glittery words saying “Sommerella’s Prom 2K19” with a picture of me and my prom date. My prom date is sitting in the blue and gold throne on the left of the porch and my family and friends are outside waiting for me to come out. 5 minutes pass and I come out to James Arthur's “Say You Won’t Let Go” followed by K. Camp’s “RARE Sound” album. *Click click click* Pictures are taken like I’m some type of model like Chanel Iman. Me and my prom date get up from our thrones and take a sip of champagne and say a prayer for a safe drive to the hotel and back home. My prom date grabs the bottom of my dress and we walk down the step to the Porsche Macan that awaits our arrival. He opens the passenger door for me and closes the door after me. He then gets to the driver seat and gets in. We then drive off and by the time we get to Lake Shore Drive a police car is following us. Its siren goes off. We pull over in the shoulder lane then police got out and when he got to the window he was about to say something but he stopped then proceeded to say, “Where are you going?” My prom date said to a very special ladies prom. The police officer said, “Well just stay out of trouble and have fun.” We continued on our way to the prom and we had fun.


The Black-American Dream Cenovia

L

ights. Camera. Action. Wait stop that flash. It hurts, just like the lightning on a rainy day. Make it stop. The fame, I wanted it so bad, wait holon, I have it but no I don’t want it anymore. Go away, give me freedom, stop looking at me. I don’t wanna be your role model. Lights. Camera. Action. Please let me breathe. That’s a depreciation of the sin that I’m in, I mean the skin that I’m in. They expect so much that I’m suffocating. My ancestors need me, yes I understand, but please I’m young and all I wanna do is breathe. I don’t like the spotlight that my skin brings, I don’t like it at all, why must it be like this. Lights. Camara. Action. Please Let me breathe.

On my knees for no reason. — Randle


Hair Mykila

M

y hair is unique and beautiful

My hair is everything you want to know Straight, curly, twists, long Sometimes it’s short But it’s still strong Bald, dyed, and permed I went through all these phases I’m blessed to have hair I’m blessed to be bald No matter what I have I will love it all


Things I’ve Seen Josh

I

look her in the eyes and I see pain in 'em,

I know sometimes you wanna cry but ain’t no tears in you, Could've lost my brother last night, lost some sane in me, Get them pipes, we gone slide, he gone bang with me, I’m so tired of being so tired and it’s changing me, That lil nigga Josh been died, don’t say that name to me, I look my mama in the eyes, it don’t look the same to me, Don’t ask if I’m alright, I can’t feel a thing, Save my girl from suicide, so don’t play with me, Pocket fill with pills, by her side, held her and said stay with me, Inhale that smoke by the pound, it do some thangs to me, Get me slump all the time, go away no dream, Got some things on my mind, I won’t say a thing, These women lie all the time, who do I trust with me, She fucked up my life, now I don’t trust a thing, She fucked him last night, next day she kissing me,


I knew she wasn’t right, should've trust instinct, Gotta make this shit right for my family, My lil sis off that kite, ain’t reach puberty, On that sight every night, pumping cars no keys, The things I've seen.

Not everyone has to be pleased. — Jadayla


one decision can go both ways. — Jadayla

Let it out. Was a flood. — Randle

The quiet ones see everything. — Adriana


Freed Cenovia

L

et’s cut to the chase. I’m angry. No, no, no, that’s a understatement. I’m exasperated. Shocked? Hope not. See because being black means that the anger I feel is what you expect. See that word I used, I know it, I can spell it, say it, tell you the definition. Is that enough? Doubt it. See 'cause we will never be enough for y’all. Yeah y’all. This won’t be filled with big words that I use to try to impress. Yeah I’m angry but I don’t give a fuck. Y'all will not use your given power to make me wanna change the way I slang. I don’t have to prove shit to y’all the same way y’all could so easily say “niggers.” I’m so easily saying fuck you, and you and you and you too. I refuse to let “you people” control my actions any longer. M'hm how did that feel? I think I’ll say it again: “you people.” See not so good. That’s how I feel when I see you and you give me that look. See you did it again, yeah that look as if I’m an alien on my own fucking planet, see the planet we built just for you to take credit. I refuse to continue to live in y’all shadow, see this skin I’m in is naturally a barrier and yeah I’m fucking angry, angry that my intellect is a surprise, or that the way I dress to express y’all take it as if I’m trying to impress, no fuck you. I’m going to wear these clothes like no other and rock this 'fro until I can’t no more. Yeah I’m angry but I’ll use this anger for good to make sure you’ll never question me again. See in a few years you gone be asking me for what you need and all I’ll say in the nicest voice I can conjure up is “cash or credit” because your profits will be my profits and I’ll be the person, no better yet I’ll be the black girl at the top, and you’ll be shopping.


LAKAYLA

I

am the future. I stand my guard. I never back down. I am the future. I will walk and be the best. I am the future. I will achieve to believe. Forget about the rest. I will stand tall. I am the future. I will stop the violence. I am the future. I will put the guns down. I am the future. Soon to be history.


Black Butterfly LaKayla

T

hey call us black butterflies

We went from little ole feet to big grown feet We went from little nappy hair to a big nappy afro We went from little princesses to queens sitting on a throne We will never be hidden We let our color show and we’re never afraid to show it We stand our ground and walk our path We need no one as long as we have ourselves

I am a black butterfly


History

I

Sherwanna a.k.a. Queen am a mystery that has history with leading clues.

I only see the lies that is out but not the hidden truth. Leaving only traces that will eventually become history itself. His-Story!! What about my story? A clue. A history being a story of their lies and some-what truths. Pulling you into my world. Become like me, invisibility. Only you and me in a empty void feeling my presence. But no sights on my movements.


Pivot Points Adriana

T

he moment on Thanksgiving last year in 2018 when I found out my great grandmother passed away. *** My first day of high school when I was really really nervous but realized everybody else was nervous because this was their first day as well and I wasn’t alone. *** The moment I met my best friend. *** The moment I found out me and my ex-best friend had the same birthday *** The moment my dad called me and told me he was gonna come and pick me up from my mom’s house and never came. *** The moment I found out Pretty Little Liars had seven seasons on Netflix.


Promised land. Promise forgotten. Promise regained. — Mark


Growth Chanel

I

've learned a lot this year. In composition I’ve learned the work. I’ve learned to ask questions when I don’t understand. In biology I’ve learned different cells, biocells, and animals. That’s been really hard, because we cover so many things and move so fast. In math, even though I don’t like it so much, I still try. Last year my NWEA score and grade went up, even though I didn’t like math. I realize that I studied and didn’t go outside. I think that helped me do well. I’ve learned that I talk a lot, but I’m learning to stay to myself because people start mess. I think people like to fight a lot. I don’t like to fight. Instead of fighting, I’m still learning not to say anything to fuel the fire.

Your insecurities are not about me. — Lampkin


Closed Ta t i a n a

T

he walls are closing in on me. I can’t breathe, it feels like I’m suffocating. I’m crying for help but nobody seems to come to my assistance or let alone listen. That’s how it feels to be Black in America. Who can we run to? Everybody is against us or doesn’t want to help the so-called “needy.” Innocent children dying every day and all they could do is pray and leave it in the wind. Our crying out for help always seen as a savage attack. Suffer in silence, that’s how I see it. It makes us Closed. In.


Talk Mariah

Y

ou talk a good game but is it true? Like boys playing 2k on the game console verses playing on the court. Can you walk your talk? Are you the type to talk better than you walk or walk better than you talk ? I love the latter. Show me with your actions what you are. Surprise me. Excite me. Show me.

Most talk is similar to American textbooks, one-sided and hero stories. Can you say that you are wrong when you are? Like admitting that you broke your parents’ cup. Do you walk like a cub or THE Lion King? That’s the difference between Simba, the young, adventurous, naive, wanna-be king, and Mufasa, the powerful and graceful. Do you entertain the village or does the village entertain you?


Untitled Sherwanna a.k.a. Queen

D

rifting through space.

All Black is powerful for you to see, however only me, I, will see Because I am a lonely individual who drifts backwards. That I know. I am black with firecrackers. Who are you? I am a unicorn. I am an individual who drifts backwards.


Love Ta t i a n a

T

he inevitable thing us humans go through.

The thing that we want most but dread once we get the feeling. But what is love? Love is a bullet... A bullet that travels through your body and punctures your heart and leaves you lifeless. But that bullet could be a spring of light that helps you face reality and learn that sense of love that you never felt. They say love is a drug but love does not always kill. A slight rush you feel through your veins but it’s temporary so you want to feel it again. So you go through hell and back and question your self-worth. We live and die by the code of love. We are born into it and grow up trying to unlock those secrets. But we run into a dead end. A dead end of answers that we have been taught but not the actual meaning of true love. We as people get love and lust confused. Lust is just a feeling, a feeling we get that doesn’t last long but we demand more. But love, our dear friend love is something so deep and intense that it takes years to find and grasp, and hard to let go when it’s time.


Voice Mariah

O

ne of the most valued and hated things in the world. Having the ability to show your strengths and weaknesses through a combination of words. Raising or lowering your voice by a couple of octaves can show your true intentions or even the false. Voice of lies. Voice of truth. Voice of reason. Voice of trouble. Voices in your head, no not multiple personalities but the voice of your subconscious.


UnBroken Chains Tatiana

T

he Pain. The Disconnect. The Torture.

The secrets kept Are unbearable. As people We stop questioning The truth. The truth that we must know To break the barrier, Not just any barrier, But our invisible chains. Ancestors crying Because we lost our power, Went from Kings and Queens Owning our own To a bunch of lost souls. Full of suffering, Confusion, Uncertainty. In a world that We should call Not our own.


Be yourself no matter who's watching. — Jadayla

When drawing, I tell a story. — Adriana

Grateful. In the presense of Greatness. — Mark


Untitled Randle

I

pulled into a parking space in front of my house. I had just gotten Portillo’s Maxwell Street Polish and fries and I also just come from Cold Stone having picked up a pint of Founder’s Favorite and Cake Batter Batter Batter. I took a deep breath as my favorite K-pop songs filled the vehicle. I wanted to cry. 6, 5, 4, 3 years before, I refused to drive on the expressway, paralized by PTSD as a result of an accident. I had just gotten back from Canada, 16 hours roundtrip. Through wind and torrential rain. I can do anything.


We were so focused on giving our kids the things we didn’t have, that we didn’t give them the things we did have. — Johnny


Symbiosis Sherwanna a.k.a. Queen

A

re you proud of who you are?

Are you proud of what you did to live by abandoning your bread? Not only using it, but killing off the ties you had And redefine yourself as indivisible, When told it was all or none. Hey, I’m mad at myself because I drove you to this point, We were always together. It’s too much for me to say, Because I didn’t get a chance to make you stay. Goodbye self. Goodbye to you. We was all or none, But I still can’t say anything to make you stay, Because.


Manhood Mark

M

y father was silent from 9000 S. Ashland to Roosevelt Road. His silence would have seemed normal if the bus wasn’t empty. We walked east on Roosevelt and arrived at my high school. I always marveled at the massive double entry doors. I think they were built to intimidate. As we went to the second floor, my father’s cane hit the wooden stairs and echoed in the halls. White men, white women, and one black man greeted us and began to read from a page every infraction, bad deed, nose blow for the 3 years I had been enrolled. One priest said, “Mr. Payne, when Mark was accepted into the school his grades were sky high. And his freshman year was great. But I see you all have moved numerous times and his grades have dropped. Is there anything you want to tell us?“ Sweat poured down my face. Please don’t tell these immoral ass strangers. Don’t tell him we have been evicted 5 times, don’t have heat, lights have been out, no food. Brothers and sisters in and out of jail. Please don’t. Fuck this mock trial. They lied to get me here and never cared about me. My father took off his hat and placed his cane on the floor, and said, “Well, Mark is a man. He can speak for himself.”


Descendants of a Slave Ta t i a n a

W

hen I first walk into a room, what do you see? Never mind, I’ll answer. You notice my natural coarse hair, my black skin which you consider dirty, my broad nose— when I smile, seems to touch ear to ear. Yes, indeed, I’m descended from a slave, but I am not an slave. You see my black brothers and sisters and you hold on tight to your purse, lock your car doors, and do that fake bland smile. Not knowing that we know the truth. We know how your people see us. You see us as ruthless niggas, who’s going to jump when you say jump. I’m going to say it again loud and proud, I’m a descendant of a slave, but I’m not, I repeat, not a slave. You people kill us, beat us, and chew us up and spit us out. How do you think we are supposed to react, but matter of fact I’m going to show you. What? You wasn’t expecting that backlash. You wasn’t expecting me to use my power within and my knowledge to go against you. Yes I’m a descendant of a slave, but I am not a slave.


I know it makes you sick. When you see us “niggas” getting an education, working, and cleaning up the mess y’all made us make. 400 long hard years and we continue to struggle but it’s okay. Our power is unattainable, our knowledge is our holy grail. And our secret to success will stay a secret. And I mean what I said: I’m a descendant of a slave, but I’m not a slave.


I challenged my thinking. things changed. — Johnny

Walls protect self and deflect light. — Lisa

They tell me, but never ask. — Randle


Untitled Kiera

I

want to see you before I’m gone

Don’t want to go, I can’t be alone Out in this cold-cold world on my own Trying to be strong Just trying to be strong Show must go on Don’t know what I’m doing Just pick up the phone I’m going through it My feelings won’t show My heart stuck on froze Ice cream on a cone Won’t write on paper Embedded in stone I call out yo name


Only one that I know All of this pressure I’m coming up short Already failing It’s mission abort Thought I was flying Whole time I’m descending Got me free-falling My world keeps on spinning Memories candid I pray to god that I stick my landing.

You can't substitute technology for parenting. — Ralph Ellison Author

53


Forgive And Recommit Antle

M

y mind is active. Thinking but not processing. I have not arrived. I will not arrive. I will pursue, though. I will reflect. I am told, “You should have known from Day 1...� Old scenarios bite, imagined ones occupy. Comments land, but they do not stick. I am a whole person. Each of my students is a whole person. Love is deeper than first impressions or second chances. Love is proven. Love is earned. *** I believe that all students can reach high expectations and deserve love along the way. I will always aspire to be a culturally responsive educator and advocate for kids, though I will never arrive. I will forgive myself each night for my shortcomings, and recommit each morning to give my students the tools to access opportunity.


Green Mariah

T

hey say it’s a color of jealousy. I disagree. I think it’s actually the color of growth. Yes, because of plants and nature in general, but also because in school we learned that green is good. Red is bad as they say. In my head every color is important. Just like every emotion is important. For example, they said red, which was previously mentioned, could represent anger or passion.


Red Sherwanna a.k.a. Queen

R

ed was the color I saw in my life, a word with many meanings.

It was red and red was me. On my mind was an empty void of the unmixed color but in reality was black, off-topic, superior, ever-changing emoticon, matching puzzle piece with any other color but me: red. Different mindset, ever-changing feelings, somewhat skeletons in the closet drama. Overreaction response to my invisible life being red, overall only loneliness in my heart. Empty. Only me in this world, just invisible red: in reality black. Miserable America is why my dreams die so young. Red is the only meaning of this lonely invisible black.


The Bear Adriana

T

his Black Bear with the nappy Black Hair

This Black Bear laid a crown on her hair This Black Bear secludes herself from others But also shows great recognition for her loving mother This Black Bear feels stuck in her cave Consistently watches how her peers can’t behave This Black Bear feels alone every other night But also has an unrealistic love story of her and a knight This Black Bear gets jealous This Black Bear gets insecure This Black Bear isn’t perfect But believes her academic development is worth it Born with pen and paper in her beautiful paws Dreams of herself on stage with a huge applause In a dentist office mouth full of gauze


This Black Bear is brave Full of courage she surely is But this Black Bear looks herself in the mirror Grateful of who she’s become and soon to be

Use hurt, become better, not bitter. — Lampkin


This Is Me Tierrania

I

am a seed growing from the ground

I am bright like the stars in the sky Strong like the smell of bleach Not afraid and no one can stand in my way I turn hate into motivation I am my biggest motivator I am not ashamed of who I am I will make a change in this world And I have no doubts, worries or fears I am unstoppable I am destined for greatness


Black Woman B

Kiera

efore anything,

I am a Woman. Scratch that, I am a Black Woman. I am the pinnacle of strength. I am the bringer of life. Before a Wife, Before a Mother, Before a Worker, Before a Slave. I am a Black Woman. I am a walking Chest with an “X” on my surface. Inside lies treasures that I save. By the power invested in me, I won’t dare let it be taken away by the likes of you. I don’t care what you want.


Can care less what you need. You don’t own the mouth of those I have to feed. I am a garden, and my protector has planted his seed. Love, Respect, and Selflessness had been my creed, But the day that MAN betrayed ME, I promised to myself that I... Will not bow down To the order of ANYONE but me. I am in control now. I have to lead, Alone. I have to protect, Alone. In the words of an animated Double agent, “There is no man in the world that can tell me what to do.” I will not have it, And what I say is true. You shall not have access to anything on me. It is MINES. You shall not have access to anything inside of me. It is MINES.




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