So many times I’ve heard,

“You don’t act black”,

And to this day I still don’t understand,

How does one act a color?

Do I be decrepit, ugly, or dark?

At least that’s what Webster tells me,

Am I to fit a stereotype?

Be what they want me to be,

Is that what it means to be?

BLACK,

Is my heritage not enough?

Is 400 years of oppression?

Hurt,

Pain,

Is that not enough?

I’m not sure how to respond anymore to,

You don’t act BLACK,

All I know is,

I AM BLACK