I think we have come from a long,
long way. I think we are far out
now than we could ever be, and
I know what we need is just
beyond reach.
I know we have stories, and I know
we have songs. I know we have fought many battles and faced many wars. I know we have scars and I know we have flaws.
I think we are all fine shades of
a simple colour brown. I know
that we are African, I think less
of the colour black. I see that we are
growing and I see that we’re proud.
I know that there’s a future seeking
out the young and small. I see our
claims on identity and how false-
ridden they are. How void of history
they seem, yet so boldly displayed
within.
I think we have lost ourselves in too
much excitement and no self-talk.
I see that we embrace shadows and
let the bigger questions roam free.
I think we have a better knowledge
of what the colour black is, than
what it truly means to be African.
I think we need to know that history
wasn’t made in the confused
grapplings of multiple men. But in
the resolve and resolution of firmly
made up minds.
Identity Poem: The African Identity
I think a casting back of the mind will
do us good. A little bit of ponderation.
A little thought that goes like this -
If I were that black woman, on a bus that
lonely day.
Stressed and tired on a 1940 summer,
would I stand if I was asked to stand
or would I sit because I knew what was
right? I believe in our days of little beginning.
For it was in such days we were really made.
When we really learn to embrace who
we really are and not follow shadows
just because someone says. We set our-
selves free in more ways than one.
Nevertheless I want to say this:
WE ARE WHAT WE ARE. WE ARE
WHO WE ARE. WE ARE MANY
THINGS BUT NOT ONE. WE ARE
ALSO NOT MANY WE ARE JUST ONE.
WE ARE FINE, FINE SHADES OF A
SIMPLE COLOUR BROWN.
WE ARE ALL THAT IT TAKES TO JUST
BE AFRICAN. WE ARE AFRICANS.
