Self-Image
- Kent Willingham
- Jun 17, 2021
- 1 min read
Updated: Jun 27, 2021
Destroying each other, brothers and sisters,
related.....
not by blood,
related by the genocide of our true African culture.
related by the path of bones across the Atlantic,
the GPS coordinates of freedom to bondage,
related by 400 years of slavery,
plus 2 counting Texas's defiance.
related by Jim Crow,
related by the assassination of our leaders,
related by our constant struggle for acceptance.
We glorify our own destruction through culture.
The music, the branding, the clothes, the merchandise,
A false sense of freedom of expression,
exploited and weaponized-
subjugating, targeting, and programming us to hate.
Hating the texture of our hair,
hating the various levels of pigment defining our complexion,
hating the shape of our nose,
hating the shape of our women's natural and voluptuous curves,
hating our self-image, our reflection, our true portrait.
Like Dorian Gray,
we have under appreciated our natural beauty.
We refuse to run to the truth, as if still chained,
Slaves to colors,
as they dominate our hatred for each other through gang violence.
Slaves to abuse, as we mistreat our queens.
We act—As if still not allowed to love.
Rise up and realize we are free.
The world flocks to our culture.
Because BLACK is beautiful.
Because BLACK is powerful.
Because BLACK rejoices in creativity.
Because BLACK personifies intelligence.
Embrace your reflection in the mirror,
hug yourself, love yourself, emancipate yourself,
cradle and nourish your future,
APPRECIATE!!!!!!
The sacrifice of our ancestors.....
I love your poem. It’s very beautiful and very eye opening in a good way. When reading the poem you can transport yourself through the different times and eras. You could see in your minds eye the journeys, the sacrifices the beginning and the end. Kent your gift of writing is very beautiful a and emotive.
Let’s go Kent ! Fire
Deep man, insightful, thought provoking and most of true…
This is deep. Makes you think. Nice!