First draft: I AM A BLACK MAN The blood of a slave runs in my veins. If I get excited, enthusiastic, or upset Im labeled Angry and Black as if I dont have the human right to express my feelings. And Black defined synonymous with Evil not equal. The dark is where I notice my light. You see, Ive been conditioned to suppress my emotions. The very thing that makes me ME. So Im going through the identity crisis. Trying to be someone Im not ONLY for the same result of being called someTHING rather than someONE. Im lost and I know it. Been trying to find my way Since. Im a father of the nation that fathered all of us but I was taught not to believe it . So I dont believe it. Im a black man. I was a king. I was hanging from the trees. Im still hanging. Dead and Alive. Its time to loosen up the noose and seek the key to release us Us free! Im a youth of the endangered species, so they tell me. You know if you hear something so many times you start to believe its true even when its not. But I love these headphones! My genius is inside. Im an inventor, Im a scientist, Im a mathematician, Im an athlete, Im healthy, I believe in my creator, Im ignorant. I cant read but the books are always open in my lap. Im a real father who loves without remorse. I hate responsibility but I Take responsibility. Im tired of being told lies. Where is my history in the classroom? Never mind that, Ill put it in the classroom. I love music. Im not upstanding all the time but Im on my way. I love art, self expression, architecture, astronomy. Im not here to please you behind a mask. I appreciate who I am and where I came from even though I still dont quite know where that is... I apologize for nothing BUT what has been done to me in fear of me. Im not scary though...You see this smile, Im a friend who only wants peace. I am powerful but no tyrant. I love my women even though they question their belief in me. I recognize their beauty but not so much. Im not endangered anymore, Im the catalyst for reproduction without copulation. I know myself, I question myself, I question you. Im still confused...but... Im a Black Man so I am persistent. Still persevering. Forgive the mistakes I present you for sometimes I know not what I do on this path to greatness. No path, no order, nothing for sure except Faith is what this represents...and I continue. Im a space traveling archaeologist. I may carry the pig skin but after practice Im up working harder on myself. All I ever wanted was peace and prosperity. Not jealousy. What am I jealous of? Theres plenty! All of this the product of the phenotypic result of the melanin within me, which created this TATTOO I was born with, never asked for, But Will Never Apologize for. Tattooed within me, A blessed burden. My bruised head held high as Black Tears fall and light up the sky. I AM A BLACK MAN. (Final draft - the final second before death)
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 18:00:08 +0000