The Black You Wear So Well

Ruth Torty

Each time I see you
dying away in that color
I scream for you.
I never knew about shadows
until I stepped into the light.  

They call you Black
because you are different from everyone else
and different must have a name.

"There is nothing wrong with names.”

It appears black is a uniform
That speaks of crime and danger
You hear of daughters who are killed
And innocent sons suffocated.

You look over your shoulder everyday,
Praying against stray bullets
You hold your breath 
When you are the only one in the room.

It just seems like black is a coat
A coat of many colors

And everyone has their opinion
About yours.

"If only I had a pair of scissors.”

I would cut away this prejudice
And show the you beneath the you
Not an hydroquinone manufactured color
Just you.
You, the product of God’s endless imagination.

Would it not be nice? 
If someone called you by your name 
And the beauty of your soul. 

---

On 'The Black You Wear So Well'

Everyday, everywhere, racism continues to be a poison in society. To be identified as Black has become dangerous. Over the years, racial abuse has caused the death of many. This year, three young footballers were racially abused for missing penalties at the Euro 2020 finals, not to mention the number of people who have been emotionally, verbally and physically attacked following this event. This poem shows the need for us to be ourselves without prejudice hanging over our heads - the need to walk and live freely can not be overemphasised.

The art in this poem’s thumbnail, ‘Dreaming is Believing’ by Linoca Souza, is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA.