To Be a Black Woman In America

To be a thing that no one wants is to live a life of woe Those backward looks, anger mistook impede our worldly flow All shades, all hues, we know it's true Our skin is a delight But beauty or not, what is it worth when it's a cause of daily plight She's angry, she's loud, must be a **** Her hair a kinky mess Such a lazy groove and we must improve her immodest form of dress Our shapes and curves smoothly serve All different types of looks Hair a crown, sisters around Together, we hit the books Or go clubbing, or shopping, or skiing in Tahoe Things that women normally do But to be a Black woman in America must mean That all actions are misconstrued Our natural shape - immodesty Our hair - a workplace sin Our voices - too heated, speak quietly Emotions - to be held within These biased thoughts and hidden snickers A truly scornful sight I'm trying to learn to love myself I shall be a victor in this fight I'm not a f***ing robot So take your thoughts and go For to be a Black Woman in America can be a thing of woe Just leave me be so I can learn I believe self-love is taught Cause though I might be hated here There's no need to be distraught For the light, it bounces off my skin My hair grows to the sun My body, a gift from mother nature herself and with the earth, I am one