Let that Black lady breathe!

I’m a woman

I’m a Black woman

I’m a dark skinned Black woman

And often times, I feel like people are saying

“Somebody shut that Black lady up!”

Yeah.

Like they’ve heard enough.

Yeah.

Like I don’t deserve to speak up.

Yeah.

Like they want me to suffer silently,

smiling through disrespect to help them live comfortably.

Yeah.

Like in society,

I could be minding my own business on a regular ass Tuesday,

but then I’m considered cold for not going out of my way.

To do what exactly? Exactly. I’m just as confused as you are.

Yeah.

Like, I could be celebrating a win.

Taking a moment to acknowledge the girl in this skin,

doesn’t have it easy, yet manages to thrive, not just survive.

But then somehow I’m considered extra.

I’m doing too much. I’m being too much.

“She’s little arrogant, if you ask me.

Wish she would just go about things humbly!”

Yeah.

Like when I go to the doctor, and grumble about a pain

“I’ve got this… thing, doc. I always feel drained.”

It’s like they don’t hear me and everything I’m saying is false

In one ear and out the other

You don’t even want to check me?

Run a test? Review my pulse?

Yeah.

As if I don’t gaslight myself every other day

Am I too much? Do I really deserve this?

Maybe my hair is too big. You’re blocking the view, squash it down sis.

I don’t have that Beyoncé figure, I don’t have the right kind of curves.

Am I always angry or did the misogynoir get on my last nerve?

Somebody, give that Black lady a break.

Somebody, please, listen to her.

Somebody tell that Black lady anger belongs to her too,

she doesn’t need to smile in the face of adversity, boo.

Somebody tell that Black lady to celebrate, loud and clear.

She just wants to make sure her ancestors can hear!

Somebody tell that Black lady she doesn’t need to be perfect

No matter what she does, or who she is, she still deserves respect 

Somebody

Anybody

Let that Black lady 

Breathe.