Poem written In celebration OF Black HISTORY MONTH...

What does being Black mean to me?
By Kemi West

You asked, ‘What being black means to me?’
I respond, with a question, so you can understand me;
Do I have red BLOOD running through my veins?
Do I LIVE on this earth like every human being?
Do I ASPIRE to achieve the dreams I have within?
Do I CHALLENGE the status quo and stand up for what is right?
Do I retrain my mind to gain KNOWLEDGE so I can grow?
I know my truth and I know I do.

You ask what being black means to me?
But I ask why a label you created applies to me?
I am first and foremost a human being;
A valuable contributor to the human race;
My past, my present are my heritage and my teacher;
They enhance my humanity and give me vision without borders;

Being Human is to experience the good and ugly side of life;
Whatever our race, there’s a common thread running through our veins;
We breathe the same air;
We live and we die;
We can’t make a life neither can we prevent death;

When you ask the question,
What being black means to me?
I can honestly say, being black means you’re the same as me.

B.L.A.C.K is HuMANity

© 2019 by Kemi West