As a young black woman, I grew up with self-esteem issues, even to the point of self-loathing because of the horrendous things I would hear and see about black women and girls. I never had the chance to embrace the unique qualities of being a black girl such as my brown skin, natural hair, and features. I was once a victim to the white-washing of society and believed that I couldn’t be beautiful. This poem is dedicated to my past self and other young black women who may have gone through the same thing or may still experience these same issues. Remember, you are magical just the way you are.
silken eyes of gold
skin of cocoa and bronze
these curls, that afro
she is, mother nature
her persona, vilified
burdensome to life
her screams
silenced for the sake
of shielding war
the world lies in her hands
and she doesn’t know it
brown girl,
you, too, are luminous.
