The Black Teacher Poem by Edward Dzonze

Even if it rains in white snow,
I will shelter my head under a black umbrella.

For the white storm
that splattered the bones of Nehanda and Kaguvi,
I will dangle a black pendent on my chest.

For the white oriented hatred
that narrowed the life of Martin Luther Jnr,
i will drink from a black calabash
to dwell in rememberance.

Even if it pours in red blood,
I will carry with me a black umbrella.
For the black dye
that was used to dye the grey hair of our ageing parents
for sale in foreign lands,
I will not trade this umbrella for a penny.

For all the fallen heroes
whose names were never written
on black tombstones,
I will always wear a black beret in my heart.

Call me black,
nothing is at stake.
I take all the bullets
if the sound of the gun keeps the world awake.
Do not shed a tear....
the poem just did.
READ THE POEM ALOUD
if you take pride in being you.