Friday, June 1, 2007

I'M SO BORED TODAY...

that I'm doing another post...well posting another, since I don't have the pleasure of taking credit for writing this, but I've had it for some years, I'm sure it's been seen before, but please do enjoy it again.

LORD WHY DID YOU MAKE ME BLACK?
Lord, Lord,
Why did You make me Black?
Why did You make me someone
The world wants to hold back?

Black is the color of dirty clothes;
The color of grimy hands and feet.
Black is the color of darkness;
The color of tire-beaten streets.

Why did you give me thick lips,
A broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did You make me someone
Who receives the hatred stare?

Black is the color of a bruised eye
When somebody gets hurt.
Black is the color of darkness.
Black is the color of dirt.

How come my eyes are brown and not
the color of the day-Light sky?
Why do people think I’m useless?
How come I feel so used?
Why do some people see my skin and think I
should be abused?

Lord, I just don’t understand;
What is it about my skin?
Why do some people want to hate me
And not know the person within?

Black is what people are "listed",
When others want to keep them away.
Black is the color of shadows cast.
Black is the end of the day.

Lord, You know, my own people mistreat me;
And I know this isn’t right.
They don’t like my hair or the way I look
They say I’m too dark or too darn light.
Lord, Don’t You think it’s time
For You to make a change?
Why don’t You re-do creation
And make everyone the same?

God answered saying:)

Why did I make you black,
You have the audacity to ask?
I did not do it as a joke,
Or as some cruel task.

Get off your knees and look around.
Tell Me, what do you see?
I didn’t make you in the image of darkness.
I made you in the Likeness of Me!

I made you the color of coal
From which beautiful diamonds are formed.
I made you the color of oil,
The Black gold that keeps people warm.

I made you from the rich, dark earth
That grows the food you need.
Your color’s the same as the panther’s
Known for (HER) beauty and speed.

Your color’s the same as the Black stallion,
A majestic animal is he.
No! I didn’t make you in the Image of darkness
I made you in the Likeness of Me!

All the colors of a Heavenly Rainbow
Can be found throughout every nation;
And when all those colors
were blended well,
You became my greatest creation.

Your hair is the texture of lamb’s wool;
Such a humble, little creature is he.
I am the Shepherd who watches them.
I am the One who will watch over thee.

You are the color of midnight skies,
I put the stars’ glitter in your eyes.
There’s a smile hidden behind your pain,
That’s the reason your cheeks are high.

You are the color of dark clouds
Formed during my strongest winters in December.
I made your lips full so
When you kiss the one you love...they’ll
remember.

Your stare is strong; your bone structure,
Thick....to withstand the burdens of time.
The reflection you see in the mirror...
The Image looking back at you is MINE!

So in answer to all of your questions,
And to forgive you for all of your flack;
These are the reasons, I THE LORD

Made you SO BEAUTIFUL AND BLACK!!!

14 comments:

JustMeWriting said...

I just read that again after posting it and got the shivers...because I USED to ask that same questions...everyone else is able to live so happily...while I and mine seem to dwell in daily squalor. WHY... is it because of the sins of Ham (Gen 9-10). Or something else, but what else could we have done to merit the degradation, segration, aggravation and just about any other
'ation'.

It's a longgggg journey to understanding and acceptence; things began to look different and that pride sets in, you love and embrace the fullness of your lips and the kink of your hair and what a happy place that is...I revel in it.

Anonymous said...

I have this posted on my wall in my cubicle.

Jazzy said...

I love this poem...and I LOVE LOVE LOVE my kinky hair and full lips and black complexion...oh kay kay kay!!! :-)

JustMeWriting said...

southern: YES...I've saved this for years...it's so encouraging.

op.d: GIRL, I'm SOO SOO mad, because I'm tryna get a regular person to loc my hair, and things are just at a stand still right now, so I'm unnatural...and I'm not happy...lol.

Anonymous said...

Always a great reminder and also a lesson on perspective.

Ab said...

hey honest innocent question...
do you really see the sense in 'Gods' answer? I mean, apart from it being rhetoric?

Ab said...

like wud you take this answer, if it was somebody else and not God?

Dangerfield said...

Great poem JMW, I needed to see this this saturday morning. Question, is the email address I used a good one to email you at. Goodmooring my philly friend go have a cheesesteak for me today.

Miss Snarky Pants said...

That's a great poem. It's the first time I've ever read it but I'll definitely be saving it.....WOW!!

JustMeWriting said...

soj: yeah... it's a great reminder indeed.

ab: that's a good question and I'd say YES...lol, like if I were a child hearing it from one of my parents...heck yeah; I'd say it would have molded me well.

mark: yeah...it's one of my favorites...and yes, that's the best email to use.

ms. b: I've collected and saved a TON of goodies like that, which I'm sure I'll be sharing.

MsJayy said...

Hey Sis! I've always loved this poem. It's hanging in my home office.

JustMeWriting said...

Hello lady, isn't it a wonderful inspiration...thanks for the visit too lady.

Mizrepresent said...

Lovely, just lovely! I think all little black girls and boys need to read this early and life and never forget it!

JustMeWriting said...

hey lady...it seems like forever since I've seen you and YES I think it would have a big impact on our young people.