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An Ode to the Black Body

Our blackness has been breached.

Shanisha Branch

Feb 06, 2017

Virginia Wesleyan College

Tx.State

Black body burdened by broken promises and bitter fortune

We look in the mirror and see with closed eye

we think but don't speak and say what we don't mean

A black body is what stares back at us.

It's Been Taken

Stripped of every thing that once was

The beauty of it all

The rich pigment

The stereotypes that still have to fall.

We say things like "black is beautiful"

But we don't own it. This statement is more like an omen

Statements like these remind us that our blackness has been breached

Better yet bleached

Blotted out of history

Blank pages greet it

Sterilized and forgotten.

We welcome our black bodies with a love that is confession

We confess our strength

Our knowledge

Our tenacity

And our audacity to keep going

And keep standing and keep loving on this black body.

Coffee, chestnut, chocolate, onyx, cocoa, smoke

Black and brown skins mingled together in a melody of hymns

Until the song is sung freely.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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An Ode to the Black Body

Our blackness has been breached.

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It's Been a Long Winter Break

Making the world safer through language.

1. Use singular they for people whose pronouns you don't know, people who use those pronouns, and stop using him/her.

2. Stop using the words "opposite sex" or "both sexes" or "opposite gender" or "both genders".

3. Ask people's pronouns when you meet them.

4. Use the word cisgender.

5. Stop saying "born a boy/girl" about a transgender or non-binary person.

6. Stop using the term 'preferred pronouns'.

7. Stop using a transgender or non-binary person's dead name.

Sometimes, we just can't help the feelings we have

1. Wow. My voice sounds amazing with this song.

2. Okay, if you can't sing, don't do it.

3. But wait, I don't think I can be friends with someone who isn't going to jam out in the car with me.

4. Dance part in the car! Even when I'm alone. Because every song is my favorite.

5. Stop light. Act calm. Be cool.

6. Yes! Green light! Back at it!

7. I don't know this song, but I'm going to sing along anyway.

8. Why am I not famous yet?

9. Being next to someone who can't sing so you feel good about yourself because you rock!

10. OK, I'm so good. I need to sing louder so I can help these people out.

11. My voice doesn't reach some of those notes, maybe I should sit this one out.

12. Randomly bursting out in song and getting weird looks because of it.

13. God, thank you so much for giving me a good voice.

14. Man, I feel bad for people who can't sing.

15. Was I just humming? Did they hear me?

16. Having dance moves to go along with most songs.

17. Not being able to stop yourself at correcting people when they mess up.

18. Maybe I should post myself singing.

19. Nah, can't do it. Dumb idea.

20. Having my own personal concert in the shower. Every single time.

Normal people wouldn't understand

1. Having time to nap between classes or at all.

2. Waking up 10 minutes before your class starts and making it there in time.

3. Making it to class in general

4. Only having to hit the snooze button three times.

5. When you didn't do the homework and the teacher decides not to collect it for that day.

6. Getting that "I'm sorry, but class is cancelled" email.

7. Finding a quiet seat in the library.

8. Actually enjoying a class and understanding all of the material.

9. Having a friend to eat lunch with.

10. Finishing an assignment before the due date.

11. When there is free food on campus.

Becuase of all things to be addicted to, you're addicted to making money.

1. You can't remember your last day off.

2. Whenever someone asks to hang out, you're working.

3. When you do see your friends, you're in a "treating mood."

4. You work so much you don't have time to spend the money you're making.

5. You're too tired to function when you aren't working.

6. Finally seeing your friends and having way too much to catch up on.

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