My Black Skin

My beautiful black skin Has been condemned It's been shunned scarred And disrespected with sin My features have been studied By scientific minds Confused cause I'm unique by design Concentrating on my physical Forgetting my brain Overlooking my knowledge Amazed by my mane Forgetting I'm a Queen With generations of pride Loving myself And the lives that I guide Embracing my strengths And the burdens I wear Proud of my thickness And coarseness of hair Intelligence and tolerance Is what's building inside With so many obstacles I continue to rise Confidence on my face And wings on my feet Surviving and conquering With no signs of defeat Uplifting myself Is what I do But there's enough strength in me To uplift you too Learn from my substance Of nurturing a generation Surviving the pain Of a separated nation Admire my struggle And power within My beautiful black skin ... has been condemned