Just For Laughs Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

The first black...this!
The first black...that!
And,
Without a blonde weave.
Or blue eye contacts.
With a head full of dreads.
Preferring to dare an awareness
Of a 'blackness' condoned.
To be shown everywhere.

Not to defy.
As a nationalistic maverick.
Nor seeking approval,
To dignify one's identity.
Being 'black' is just that.
A realized acceptance.
And not a passing fad.
Quick to fade,
With other fashion statements.
Replaced whenever,
They've become outdated.

Being black...
Has finally arrived to relieve,
Deceiving pretensions...
Left behind to leave,
Perceptions conceived...
That the majority of blacks,
Would rather adorn masks.
While clowning around,
Just to get laughs.

Although,
To protect defections...
Of a heritage they've learn,
Is worthless to respect.
Some can be seen,
Shuffling along.
And doing their best,
To imitate a kept ignorance...
Many advocate.
Support and expect.
Just for laughs to ridicule,
Those who are...
Comfortably black.
And refusing to be depicted,
As stupid, idiots and fools.