What is it to be black? | Teen Ink

What is it to be black?

October 2, 2023
By Marti_mart BRONZE, San Pedro, California
Marti_mart BRONZE, San Pedro, California
3 articles 0 photos 0 comments

What is it to be black?

Black Is it to be a color ?

Is it to be a word? 


Being black is a gift and a curse. 

Being black is to be asked “can I touch it.”

Being black is to be told “it’s just a word.”

Being black is to be  seen as “ undesirable” in the standards of beauty or to be seen as  “exotic” because you are seen as some kind of “rare commodity.” 

Being black is to feel you need to let stuff go because you're going to be “too aggressive.” 

Being black is to have your culture everywhere but to also have it denied.

Being black is to be the house maker but also an intruder.

Being black is to be considered an inferior but to also be considered needed to be “fearful” of. 

Being black is to feel that all you are seen as is a color not a person.

 Being black is that everyone sees you for a word and not as a human.

-Marterria king 


The author's comments:

this poem is about what it is life for black people in day to day life. it talks about all the bad that comes with being a black person in the west.


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