I Too, am Black History!
Black history month.
The shortest month of the year,
where we pack it full of celebrating prominent figures and contributors within the African American community.
Like,
I kind of see what you did there
cuz the whole leap year
and black people being able to make their own time...
even if we are late.
But unfortunately,
that's not ok!
Because it still is the LEAST amount of time to celebrate our culture and our heritage.
I mean, it is the very foundation of America itself.
I for one,
choose to celebrate black history for more than just February,
because I am black for more than just one month out of the year.
I will continually cherish all of the remnants and heirlooms,
passed down from those who came before me.
In doing so,
I realized just how connected I am to my history,
though some of it may seem ancient and distant.
I carry the melanin of my forefathers that gave them unimaginable strength.
Providing them the ability to withstand and absorb light.
To be given the blessing of carrying the gift of the sun,
and be a radiant entity for all to see and behold.
I possess the perseverance that gave my predecessors the will to live when it was whipped out of them.
The unbreakable spirit that stood up to oppression
and the indomitable will willing to defy any and everything for what was right.
To be willing to run to hell and back,
and do it all over again to fight the power.
I embody the pride of a nation who refused to be broken.
Who created their own value within a system that deemed them worthless.
Who had the boldness to remain unbothered when others had the caucasity.
And then,
even had the audacity to tell them "you can't sit with us."
I resonate with the voice of a people forced to silent subjugation,
as my existence and my very being screams black lives matter among the sound of white noise
A voice that had the ability to enchant listeners, inspire generations,
pave the way for many genres of music,
and deserving of nothing less than
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
I symbolize the freedom of generations of civil warfare.
The reality of a dream where equality reigns supreme and freedom rings
My skin,
rebellious to aging.
My lips,
breaking the boundaries of my face.
My creativity,
innovative and limitless.
And my hair,
defiant to gravity's pull.
I am the legacy of my ancestors' struggle for a better life.
Who happily gave theirs,
in hopes of better futures for generations to come.
To protect and preserve the memory of ALL those who've come before me.
My name will be remembered within Black history
AND American history,
along with those of my fallen people...
such as Trayvon Martin,
Sandra Bland,
and Philando Castile.
We will continue to be the phenomenal men and women,
phenomenally.
Phenomenally black,
that's me.
Never forget who you are,
and who you shall always be.
For I, too,
am black!
And I, too,
am black history!
