My Black to Me

A poem by Shelly Greaves

I like the way my people used to rock afros
I hate it when the only things that come out of my people's mouth is nigger, slut, and whore
I like the way my people dance
Full of tradition, style, and rhythm
I hate that my generation ignores how their ancestors strived, cried, and died for what they believed in
Black is so beautiful
That's what I hear my black ghetto sisters say on TV
But why is it in this world I can't even be me?
I admonish the fact that we put our ancestors to shame, playing all these games!
I wish that instead of nigger, my people would say brother!
I wish that instead of bitch, my people would say sister!
I'm proud to be black because of my history
Boys and girls today think that committing a felony makes them look good
Boys say, "I got street cred in my hood!"
I wish we would give our ancestors the "cred" that they deserve!