I'M Light Skinded Poem by Lareesa King

I just came out lighter
I have naps
I use grease
and that hot comb
I just came out lighter
So what
my hair is long
I got waves
grease (sometimes) isn't needed
water will do the trick
I can tan
and not get burnt
color contacts aren't needed
but I'm black
I just came out lighter
my lips aren’t thin
but they’re not full
my hair is unmanageable
but not nappy
my skin doesn't define my history
I'm black
I just came out lighter
I've been discriminated against
I've been threatened by the police
I was turned down service
I was beaten
I was hung
I'm black
I just came out lighter
my list of names seem like they'll never end
Oreo
zebra
yellow
but I'm black
I had to pick cotton
right along with you
I walked right along with martin Luther king
Shoot….them dogs attacked me too! ! !
I go to church
and I sing those gospel hynmes
I'm black
music saved my life
no
not that Frank Sinatra
not Rolling Stones (even thought they're off the hook!)
but I'm talkin
Aretha Franklin
Stevie wonder
the O'jays
al green
Marvin Gaye
the Supremes
I’m black
I danced your dance
I sang your song
I cried your cry
in your eyes
I’m another light skinned girl with good hair and pretty eyes
but remember
I’m black,
I just came out lighter