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Politics and Activism

We Will Rise: A Spoken Word About Inequality For Black Women in America

As a black woman in America I wanted to write something that reflected how I feel about the inequality that we endure due to our double barrier: gender and race.

NiaSymone Francisco

Feb 22, 2020

University of South Florida

We Will Rise: A Spoken Word About Inequality For Black Women in America

Pinterest.com

Pain and suffering,

Trial and tribulation,

Heart breaking sensation...

Do you know?

Do you know what it's like to be black in America?

Do you know what it's like being a black woman in America?

Fighting two barriers of inequality every single day...

Race and gender.

Trying our hardest to rise above our oppressors

We stand tall and stand proud,
Demanding our equal rights in the crowd

We are conflicted...

Conflicted with the image that society has painted for us…

Are we supposed to be loud and angry or submissive and dainty?

Am I supposed to be your mammy or am I supposed to stand up to your tyranny?

No matter what we try, we are seen as too hard or too soft…

Where does my mysterious happy medium exist?

Tell me why I am being put in a box just for you to suppress my superiority?

I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired,

You need to see that I am not skin and I am not my gender,

I'm not saying I'm a pretender and I'm definitely not suggesting color blindness...

I'm simply saying that black women are humans with feelings,

and we are fed up with dealing with this cruel and wicked world…

Don't belittle me or swaddle me because you're scared of my potential!

Damn it, let me be great because in the words of Andra Day, I will rise up, rise like the day...

I will find a place on this earth where I will be celebrated and elevated, appreciated and educated, and my black girl magic can radiate,

So when I come out on top there'll be no debate, when my melanated self says checkmate...

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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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We Will Rise: A Spoken Word About Inequality For Black Women in America

As a black woman in America I wanted to write something that reflected how I feel about the inequality that we endure due to our double barrier: gender and race.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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