Africa Speaks Reasoning Forum

ENTERTAINMENT/ ARTS/ LITERATURE => Poetry => Topic started by: Eshe on September 15, 2003, 12:51:00 PM



Title: Black gold
Post by: Eshe on September 15, 2003, 12:51:00 PM
By AP Toussaint

A dear sister friend—Ann E—shared a beautiful piece with me called “Why did you make me Black Lord?” Now, one would think that in this day and age, people would not be troubled by, or because of, the colour of their skin. But it does happen, still, and at one time it was a challenge in my own home.

When my son was about six or seven years old, he would ask me “Why don’t I have your colour Mummy?” That question would usually be asked with some presence of pain in his voice, and it would hurt me so much because I knew that some outside influence was getting to this young and very impressionable boy. The task was mine to assure, and reassure him that nothing was wrong with the colour of his skin. He is blessed with that rich dark skinned complexion which Ann E calls Black Gold.

But no amount of being handsome was helping him then. Taunts about his darkness meant many prayers and self-esteem building chats from me. Thank God, today my son is one self-confident young man, and takes extra special care of himself. That is one of the reasons why I chose to specialise in self-esteem. Adults, we have to be so careful about calling children “blacky”, and other similar names. Remember, other children can be cruel without meaning to—all because of what they would have heard us (adults—the wayshowers) say (negatively) about those of a darker hue.


Why did you make me Black Lord?

Lord ... Why did you make me black?

Why did you make someone the world would hold back?

Black is the colour of dirty clothes, of grimy hands and feet ...

Black is the colour of darkness, of tired beaten streets ...

Why did you give me thick lips, a broad nose and kinky hair?

Why did you create someone who receives the hatred stare?

Black is the colour of the bruised eye when someone gets hurt ...

Black is the colour of darkness, black is the colour of dirt.

Why is my bone structure so thick, my hips and cheeks so high?

Why are my eyes brown, and not the colour of the sky?

Why do people think I am useless? How come I feel so used?

Why do people see my skin and think I should be abused?

Lord, I just don’t understand ... what is it about my skin?

Why is it some people want to hate me and not know the person within?

Black is what people are labelled when others want to keep them away ...

Black is the colour of shadows cast, black is the end of the day.

Lord, you know my own people mistreat me, and you know this just ain’t right,

They do not like my hair, they don’t like my skin, as they say I’m too dark (or light!).

Lord, don’t you think it is time to make a change?

WHY DON’T YOU REDO CREATION, AND MAKE EVERYONE THE SAME?!


God’s Reply

Why did I make you black? Why did I make you black? I made you in the colour of coal from which beautiful diamonds are formed ...

I made you in the colour of oil, the black gold which keeps people warm.

Your colour is the same as the rich dark soil that grows the food you need ...

Your colour is the same as the black stallion and panther, Oh what majestic creatures indeed!

All colours of the heavenly rainbow can be found throughout every nation ...

When all these colours are blended, you become my greatest creation!

Your hair is the texture of lamb’s wool, such a beautiful creature is he ...

I am the shepherd who watches them, I will always watch over thee!

You are the colour of the midnight sky; I put the glitter in your eyes ...

There’s a beautiful smile hidden behind your pain ... that’s why your cheeks are so high!

You are the colour of dark clouds from the hurricanes I create in September,

I made your lips so full and thick, so when you kiss ... they will remember!

Your stature is strong, your bone structure thick to withstand the burden of time ...

The reflection you see in the mirror, that image that looks back, that is mine! So get off your knees, look in the mirror and tell me, what do you see?

I did not make you in the image of darkness I made you in the image of me! —Author Unknown.

Prosper!