HerStory

If black could speak, what would it say
Is it ridiculous you attempt to personify a color or ludicrous that you colorize a person
If black could speak, would he be she or she be he
Would her voice be sweet as my mothers or his voice foreboding like my fathers
Would it have thick hair, cut to the ears or billowing locks down to the naval
Eyes deeper than charcoal, perhaps black has brown eyes
Black would have no definite shape
Could be tall and athletic, short and stocky, plump and pretty
Walk with a limp, a dip, a waddle, a shake
Stutter, lisp, speech crisp
Black would know the irony of impediment
I thought I grew up black
Watching my grandmother cook Sunday dinner while my mother hot combed my hair
And my fathers hands callused and rough, he's a man that liked working with his hands
My cousins, toffee chocolate and mocha running across the perimeter of our fortress
We were black knights protecting our White Castle
With our carnival swords and princess wands
We battled every dragon and warlock the best we knew how
And not once did we ever question our way of survival
Our fortress faltered the first time I took a standardized test that asked my race
The walls cracked from ceiling to floor
When my teachers swore there was a flaw in my scores
As there was 'no way a 3rd grade colored girl' could have the reading proficiency of a college student
The windows shattered when I graduated top of my class with honors
And our foundation falters with every sideways glance
When I mention I'm 20 years old with no children
I've never been convicted of a crime
I'm a college student
I held a steady job for 3 years, not to mention the only job I've ever had
I love talking to people
I own a business and I have never ever been in a fight
But I thought I was black
Apparently I'm everything but
Black goddess
I am black modest
Black honest
Too black to be flawless
My black don't crack
She black
Black panther
Black power
Black pride embalms my black garden sweet
And if my black be thorn, then let me be rose
And the violets I carry will match my rage perfectly
My black caressed in silk, milk and honey can't compare to black showers
I'll grow black flowers in my black garden and produce black girl magic
'Cause black lions don't need white tigers to remind them they're a cat
So, I don't need to draw my claws for you to know that this kitty is dangerous
I thought I was black so long as I had my White Castle
But fuck you and yo burgers
I knew I was black when I watched it tumble down
Regained my crown and ran the kingdom that is mine
So allow me to redefine black
Ascertain your assumptions
Elucidate your simple minded stereotypes
Delineate a black woman and not a black vixen
This is my story, her story, our story
Not his-tory