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The radicalism of a black main character

She always wondered how it would be
If she, a black girl starred in a romantic comedy
Where she wouldn't just be used as comic relief 
And she would be desired by the male lead

She dreamed of being comforted
And not play a strong black girl where she wouldn't be punished for being seen as 'weak'
She could be an inspiration for little black kids where they finally see
A black girl on the TV
Finally feeling seen
As their eyes are glued to the screen 
She hoped one day this would become a reality 
If not her 
Then another black girl

When she was a kid
There was little to no representation 
Only seeing white people in all the shows and movies
She had hoped she'd find someone who looked like her
She remembers how she questioned her worth
And how on earth 
People who shared her skin colour
Were just background characters 
Or to bear the weight of their white best friends burden
And being forced to carry their problems
A one sided friendship 
Where her friend reaps the benefits 
And the black girl has to settle with crumbs

She knew that sounded to radical 
For a world that wanted her to be invisible 
But she couldn't stop thinking 
How all the black children would feel
If they saw themselves being 
Represented on TV
She thought for them this would be a victory 
For them this would make history

Copyright © Layla Riley-Hill

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Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry