Lord Why Am I Black?

Black-Jesus · (#1 (**permalink**))

Maybe someone has already posted this poem... if so sorry, but i like this poem

Poem By Runett Nia Ebo

Lord, Lord,

Why did You make me Black? Why did You make me someone
the world wants to hold back?

Black is the color of dirty clothes; the color of grimy hands and feet.
Black is the color of darkness; the color of tire-beaten streets.

Why did you give me thick lips, a broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did You make me someone who receives the hatred stare?

Black is the color of a bruised eye when somebody gets hurt.
Black is the color of darkness. Black is the color of dirt.
How come my bone structure's so thick; my hips and cheeks are high?
How come my eyes are brown and not the color of the daylight sky?

Why do people think I'm useless? How come I feel so used?
Why do some people see my skin and think I should be abused?

Lord, I just don't understand; What is it about my skin?
Why do some people want to hate me and not know the person within?

Black is what people are "listed", when others want to keep them away.
Black is the color of shadows cast. Black is the end of the day.

Lord, You know, my own people mistreat me;
and I know this just isn't right. They don't like my hair or the way I look.
They say I'm too dark or too light.

Lord, Don't You think it's time for You to make a change?
Why don't You re-do creation and make everyone the same?

(God answered

Why did I make you black? Why did I make you black?

Get off your knees and look around. Tell Me, what do you see?
I didn't make you in the image of darkness. I made you in the Likeness of ME!

I made you the color of coal from which beautiful diamonds are formed.
I made you the color of oil, the black-gold that keeps people warm.

I made you from the rich, dark earth that can grow the food you need.
Your color's the same as the panther's, known for beauty and speed.

Your color's the same as the Black stallion, a majestic animal is he.
I didn't make you in the Image of darkness, I made you in the Likeness of ME!

All the colors of a Heavenly Rainbow can be found throughout every nation; And when all those colors were blended well,
YOU BECAME MY GREATEST CREATION.

Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool, such a humble, little creature is he.
I am the Shepherd who watches them. I am the One who will watch over thee.

You are the color of midnight-sky, I put the stars' glitter in your eyes.
There's a smile hidden behind your pain that's the reason your cheeks are high.

You are the color of dark clouds formed when I send My strongest weather.
I made your lips full so when you kiss the one you love they will remember.

Your stature is strong; your bone structure, thick to withstand the burdens of time.
The reflection you see in the mirror...
The Image looking back at you is MINE!

ebony_goddess · (#2 (**permalink**))

That's really good.

Lyrical Nectar · (#3 (**permalink**))

I hadn't ever read that poem before and I must say that all this time I HAVE BEEN MISSING OUT! I loved it. It was wonderful the way the questions were posed and then answered. It is a very beautiful and empowering piece. I have to tell my friends about this one!

culturecrush · (#4 (**permalink**))

Incredibly lovely and moving.

Fort 5 · (#5 (**permalink**))

U know my suggestion 4 u is 2 immediately change da BOGUS title of 'whyam Iblack?''...does dat even make sense 2 u?...sounds 2 me like self hatred here.

By all means dont allow dem 2 break u down, but u hav done so by accepting 2 impose on ur self sum self hate bullshit!

INstead tell urself, 'Almighty creator, thank u 4 making me who I am and what I am 2day'! U see da difference? 'Lord Why Am I black?'....do u even know how racist u sound 2 urself?....its like a racist skinhead gang's just beat u down and u felt sorry 4 urself as they asked u 'why ur black'...really...dats how bad it is.

Dont think like dem. I understand dat ur trying 2 be creative in ur poetry, but i do poetry and am quite experienced, and a title like dat is really not too good if u think about da context and manner of its speech!

I hope u comprehend what am tryin 2 say and mean. Have it ur way, its just suggestion. But put it 2 mind bcoz its essential.

At ease souljah.

emra9 · (#6 (**permalink**))

clp)I liked the poem, touching

@ Fort 5, you have a point there....

BlackBeauty365/24/7 · (#7 (**permalink**))

Read this poem b4. Glad many black people are picking it up.

Aryek · (#8 (**permalink**))

And exactly what is so uplifting about this poem? confused3

Backatya · (#9 (**permalink**))

Ok it's official!

I really can't stand that poem. I understand what the author was trying to do but it fails miserably for me on so many levels.

Respect

The Watcher · (#10 (**permalink**))

My annoyance is the lamb thing.

Why must I be a lamb?

Why can't religions tell people to be lions?

Lambs are bleating unthinking followers with a group mind and a tendancy towards dependancy and helplessness always crying for something. Why must religion tell people to be like that and that this figure will look after us like we're kids?

Bout "Humble" chuuups I see through that ole talk like glass! We all know who you're supposed to be humble to. What kind of thinking has pride as a sin? LOL twisted...

Nah man... I'd rather religions told people to be lions and be proud. Lambs get consumed and munched up for a good meal all the time trusting and bleating along...

Le Moor · (#11 (**permalink**))

Fort 5 wrote:

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U know my suggestion 4 u is 2 immediately change da BOGUS title of 'whyam Iblack?''...does dat even make sense 2 u?...sounds 2 me like self hatred here.

By all means dont allow dem 2 break u down, but u hav done so by accepting 2 impose on ur self sum self hate bullsh*t!

INstead tell urself, 'Almighty creator, thank u 4 making me who I am and what I am 2day'! U see da difference? 'Lord Why Am I black?'....do u even know how racist u sound 2 urself?....its like a racist skinhead gang's just beat u down and u felt sorry 4 urself as they asked u 'why ur black'...really...dats how bad it is.

Dont think like dem. I understand dat ur trying 2 be creative in ur poetry, but i do poetry and am quite experienced, and a title like dat is really not too good if u think about da context and manner of its speech!

I hope u comprehend what am tryin 2 say and mean. Have it ur way, its just suggestion. But put it 2 mind bcoz its essential.

At ease souljah.

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I disagree, i think the peom's title perfectly addresses the perspective of how a black mindor evenhow a black lost soul can think when surrounded with persistent institutional racism.

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Its not uncommon for a child, possibly growing up in a predominant white environment to ask these questions.

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I did.

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I really like the poem and the angle its delivered from.

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The word "black", within the English langauge, is deliberately associated with negativety whilst the word "white" is connected to Godliness and purity.

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Once you understand this then your mind can focus correctly on the positive aspects of our own colour. This peom helps with this in my opinion.