The following poem was written when I was a student as a submission for the Clamor Art Journal. It is inspired by America’s use of blackness as a symbol of negativity. This places a label on Americans who use black as a label for their ethnic identity.
I am Black.
I’m black
Black market, black cat, black trade
I’m black
The root of all negativity
Black sheep, blacklist, black face
I’m black,
Black American
Not black African
The African has been washed out of me
I speak no language but English
I don’t know of Kwanza, only Christmas
Every man in my family has done his time
Black Friday, black sheep.
Black crime.
I am only black
Black American
My history has been washed out of me
Blackmail, black Monday, black eye
I’m black
The root of all negativity
The other roots have been washed out of me
I am only black
