“Negro Man” Poem

Once again, as a nation, we have watched a black man get murdered in front of our eyes. It’s disgraceful that every other month another black man is taking away from his family by the police or someone that feels threatened by his skin color. Through It All, we must remain strong and continue to pray that the injustice against our black brothers will soon end. Wrote this piece to express some of the challenges of African American men in today’s society. Rest in Peace, George. #Justice4George

Many say they understand the black man.
But the complexity of my life is too deep to be understood.
Hence why the black queen can sometimes misunderstand her king.
So how can I expect someone with a pale complexion feel my pain
Proceeding through life with many different hills and valleys to overcome

On the outside, this man with nappy hair is supposed to be strong, fearful, and dominant.
Within I lack the power that they have taken away from me
How is one given the title of a beast, but I have been broken down.
To nothing more but a dog on a chained leash
A chain that’s been held by my oppressors for many years

I sit here wondering as I embark on the world today.
Which challenge will cross me today?
Will the older women across the street grip her bag tightly?
When I walk down the street?
Or will my soul finally leave my body
As the bullet travels through the barrel
From the illegal .45 owed by my mother’s nonbiological son

All because of the imprinted image of Jordan flying on the back of my shoes
I do not blame my brother for this action.
He was raised by aggressive, emotionally damaged men the same as him
Men, that were mad at the world
When the true place of anger stemmed from the lack of
A father, the lack of support and the lack of a fair chance
See, this society wasn’t built for the black man.
Instead, it was constructed to destroy the man.

The black man came into the world already born to lose.
He was stripped of his royalty and placed in a box.
A four by four box with a glass window and two holes
One hole big enough to continue to steal from the man
While the small hole is just the little bit of chances, he receives
All while the black man is being watched by many waiting for him to fail

When one questions why the man of color is unemotional
Or how is the dark man looked at as lazy
Or why is this nigga labeled aggressive
Remember that the brown skin man was stripped of his manhood.
Dirt was kicked in my face by “The Man.”
And I was buried in that dirt by my own people.
How can one not become heartless?
When the provider of my life ejaculated me in this world
Then ejected himself from existence.
The world expects me to be still able to fill the definition of a man.
Without no proper example, imagine how hard that is?

The expectations of the black man are low.
My everyday battle and everyday thought
Is to change the cycle
Climb up societies ladder and reign supreme
But these are just my thoughts.
As I wait for the final interview
I may not receive this position.
Even in a tailored suit, enough qualifications, and a decent smile.
My hair is still nappy, and eyes are still brown.
Yea, I’m still just a negro man just living…