Don'T Call Me Strong Black Woman

Do not call me strong Black woman for it is not a compliment It is a title given to us boxed inside expectations that weigh us down We are not superheroes yet we are branded with an "S" on our chest forced to steer clear of the kryptonite called failure Black women aren't supposed to fall We're expected to stand tall and during the whole time of this masquerade ball we wear a mask colored with yes we cans and I got this all the while we are withering away in our own silence We have no chance to prioritize the cruel balancing act song and dance and one trick pony show we must perform We are tired and filled to capacity with fluids of frustration but you'll never know it because showing any inkling of weakness will paint a negative picture for us and how dare we make ourselves look bad When was the last time we could just be ourselves without ridicule and disgusted stares because we don't look or act like like Becky with the good hair They label us strong yet they want us to be submissive and if we're not They deem us unmarriageable To them we're unrelatable Lord forbid we set up boundaries then we are considered undateable So we're damned if we do Damned if we don't So on behalf of all Black women I am here to say it is NOT ok to be strong However it's ok to fall apart pick up the pieces and rebuild ourselves anew So the next time They call you strong Black woman Let them know Strong Black woman is not a compliment It's the hardest job that that we have and it is a job that is slowly killing us all