It’s love she said
I’m teaching you to be strong and tough
I’m preparing you for life and it will be rough
You have to be a Strong Black Woman so suck it up
A woman who is a full-time student
So ambitious she could be considered a prudent
Being a black woman ain’t easy
But she seems to always be so peachy
Having a lot on her plate and making it look so easy
Strong Black Woman, she’s extremely dreamy
A woman who is drenched in her plans
So motivated by her aspirations she’s the dream of a man
She can stand her own ground and demand
And when times get rough, she understands
Strong Black Woman, she’s becoming a bit bland
When something doesn’t go according to plan, she explodes
Sharp with her tongue, she becomes a tough load
Falling victim to the angry black woman
While folks forget showing emotion is common
Strong Black Woman, don’t get too angry or you’ll be summoned
Don’t take shit from nobody, she now stands alone
Doing everything by herself and trying to watch her tone
Sassy with her tude and vicious with her facial expressions
Everyone tells her she’s being too aggressive
Strong Black Woman, you better change your mood
She’s known to set it off
in reality, she just wants everyone to layoff
Mind your business and she’ll tend to hers
Back to managing a lot, something she thinks she prefers
Strong Black Woman, this is something you deserve
Making sure her mental state is stable before helping others
She’s seen as selfish, she comes off as defensive
When in fact, she just wants some damn attention
Strong Black Woman, you not suppose to show tension
Behind closed doors, she’s all over the place
Forgetting her role in her particular state
Ignoring the stigma against the women of her race
It becomes too much trying to face the problems of today
Even if she talks herself through the problem, it’s not the same
Can a Strong Black Woman show emotion without shame
Strong Black Woman, what do you say
Wonder Woman is an all-around woman - a Black Woman too
She is trained to manage everything without falling down
If she doesn't follow these guidelines, she will drown
Drowning is not apart of the qualities one must possess
She has to be stable and steady and if she isn’t, she doesn’t past the test
Strong Black Woman, you're not so strong anymore…
Kynnedy this is such a beautiful poem! It has me reflecting on a lot. Are you a part of the poetic liberation group? I learned about it during the women in leadership brunch with President Hass and someone mentioned you. I'll ask you more about it in class on Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a haiku in response to this poem.
a strong black woman
sits near me in history
i am here for her.
Reading your poem reminded me of the first chapter we read from “Life in the Jim Crow South.” I thought of the interviews of the women who were little girls at the time and what their parents ingrained in their heads and taught them to be able to withstand the South. Not only were they taught that family and community were a priority, but these black little girls were being trained to be self-reliant which would prepare them for womanhood, adulthood in their future. Your character in your poem, the “Strong Black Woman,” fits that self-reliant quality. I believe she exudes the epitome of “womanhood” as well. The interviewed women were told by their family members to achieve a better life, and your character in your poem seems to be doing that. Unfortunately, it is not easy for her. I can feel the emotion in this poem. She struggles on the inside, but she has this façade that she keeps up when she’s out in public. Thank you for this thought-provoking post!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your poem Kynnedy! It highlights the plight of being a Black woman. Many would argue that we are the most "disrespected, unprotected, and neglected" people in this country. Often times we are told to just "suck it up", no matter the situation. We are taught to bear the burden of others and to put others first. We have to combat the stereotype of being an "angry Black woman" by "trying to watch [our] tone", and when we speak up for ourselves and against injustice or wrongdoing, we are seen as being "too aggressive". We are constantly "managing a lot", in other words, we are "the mule of the world'. If we do not succumb to this, we're "seen as selfish". How can worrying about our own well-being leave the impression that we are selfish? What led to this?
ReplyDelete