Standing out in the fields under a scorching sun
Arrested under the fear of whips and rabid dogs
Forced to pick cotton or reproduce, whether we wanted to or not
Sounds like history… my history.
Perched on our hands and knees until they bled dark red
Scrubbing floors, washing dishes, cleaning windows
Using gritty old brushes and dirty soapy water that Old Ma used to use
Sounds like history… my history.
Hearing the word “Nigger” on a regular basis
So much so, that some of us have repurposed that word as an endearment
Removing the pain attached to it and replacing it with power and love
Sounds like history… my history.
Thinking that we were no longer slaves and that we had freedom
Even though we had different schools, and restrooms, and places to eat
Curfews to follow, or else we might be hung from the tree down at city hall
Sounds like history… my history.
Having our churches set a blaze with children still inside
Witnessing our people being sprayed with water hoses and tear gas
While police dogs tore at our flesh to their hearts delight
Sounds like history… my history
Being hunted down like escaped prisoners
By a 3-lettered organization who thrived on our agony
That very same agony that reminded us that we will never truly be accepted
Sounds like history… my history
From yesterdays slavery, torture, and violence
Segregation and disregard for human life…
To today’s cultural appropriation, police brutality, and over-sexualization
Sounds like history… my history
Sitting here in class, reading about all of this white hatred
That white hatred that turned to black pride when the 44th president
Was the same color as you and me
Sounds like history… my history.
Queen Media Collective 
This is a outstanding poem Shamari, it was so powerful and so moving. This poem touched my soul it made me think about the stories my parents and grandparents told me about them growing up and some of the things I went through growing up and still till this day am going through. Keep up the great work!!!
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Thank you so much 🙌🏾 I really appreciate your support! That was some of the inspiration behind the poem; the stories that we pass down from generation to generation.
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