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
Copyright © Lala Deville | Year Posted 2020
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