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Blue Marble Review

Literary Journal for Young Writers

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The Art of the Black Woman

By Kalijah Rahming

being a black child living in America is an extremely difficult task

we are forced to deal with all the standards and stereotypes

that have been placed upon us for generations

we are the children who must bear the burden of our ancestors

we are also victims of racism, discrimination, and oppression

black women, specifically, have been lied to for generations

ever since we were children,

we were fed our daily meal of lies by a society that does not care for us

we are told that our skin is too dark, that we are too curvy,

that our bodies do not match the molds created by European standards

 

people tell us that we are “pretty for a black girl” or “pretty for a dark skinned girl”

although these may seem as though they are compliments,

the underlying truth is that they are saying that people of African descent are not beautiful

OR if we are beautiful, it is only when we are light skinned

why is white the only standard of beauty out there?

 

there are many variations of black people and black beauty out there in the world

it makes no sense that the only ones who are respected by society

are those who are lighter and have features like those of Europeans

what makes black not beautiful?

 

to me, black women, like my mother, exhibit strength and confidence

and do not let any obstacle get in their way.

i wish to be like them

they are my true inspirations

 

to me, black is not the color of darkness and hatred

but instead the color of

beauty, hope, and freedom

 

 

Kalijah is a tenth grader from California who identifies as a self-proclaimed chai tea enthusiast. It does not seem possible to her that people are able to get through a week without at least three cups of the stuff. She is a vivacious reader and does not think herself safe and content unless she is in the middle of at least fifteen books at the same time. In addition to this, she is also a feminist and a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Filed Under: Poetry Tagged With: Summer 17: 12Poems

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