Here is a poem I recently wrote and performed at the Air Lounge last night. Stay tuned to when I perform at Air Lounge again:

Self-hatred

Why do you throw stones in your own reflection?
Trying to straighten out naps.
Squeeze noses down to size.
Use cake soap to lighten skin complexion
between Vybz Kartel and the late MJ.
While those with pale skin lay on the beach for a tan.

You who memorize the lies
coming from bobbing heads
from CNN or Fox, 
that you are a violent criminal,
welfare cheat,
deadbeat dad,
unfit mother.
Their images become ingrained in your psyche
you make their stereotypes of you come true.

Every time you see a labelled criminal on television
You cringe and hope you don’t have the same complexion.
You wear their shame as goosebumps on your arms.

?As if their actions says something about your character.

You think if only they act more respectable
and spoke with good grammar.
Then they could make something of themselves as you have.
You who went to the good schools and obtained the good education.
You who have a good job and a good home.
You who think you obtained a piece of the American Dream.
They just need to work harder
and they can be just like you.

Well sorry to burst your bubble,
but they probably do not want to be you anyway.
Cuz you have not lift a finger to help them.
You hardly spend money in their businesses
so we can have money in our local economy.
So eager you are to be Eurocentric,
you forget the Afrocentric.

Our history chalk full
with pharaohs building the pyramids of Kemit,
the stories from the 15th century catholic kingdom of the Kongo,
or the glory of the Akan and Oyo empires’ kings.

Why do you want to identify with a culture who
beats you,
rapes you,
sell you as commodities,
steal your names, language, and history
and then ravages and pillages the very place
where you are from?

Think it may be time to wipe the lightening make-up from your face,
let the kink come back in your hair,
and spend more time in the community
among people that will be willing to support you.
Love the coco skin you are in
Because it is the only one you got.