The Response - More than Still a Womyn

Black women (and black people) are often associated with sexuality and violence. From the Hottentot venus to current women of color in the entertainment field, black women are exploited. Sometimes, we can only hope that our young black girls are able to hold onto who they are and not be influenced by who society tells them to be. 

Little Black Girl

Dear Little Black Girl,

I knew that was you.

When I opened my door

I heard you giggle.

I tried to wave you down,

But you kept on running,

And I wondered where you were running to

Do you plan to come back?

I remember your auntie sayin

She aint seen you in a minute,

And I was happy to see you was okay.

I remember your hair was soo curly,

But when I seen you yesterday,

I barely knew that was you.

Your hair is all straight,

Your skin got real light,

And your clothes seem too tight.

Yo mama had you in church,

You would just sang all day,

And I remember yo mama said you would be somebody one day.

Little black girl,

I heard you changed,

I heard you was makin records

I heard you made records the bad way.

Little black girl,

You never came back.

…

I ask you what legacy do you plan to leave?

What history can we find if we peel back the layers?

Where do you go if you slowly drift apart?

Don’t you see?

Pieces of your existence scatter,

Spread across the colonial bullshit that has made you a statistic.

Don’t be

Little black girl.

Please.

Don’t be.