Black Enough
by @donald-charles-mark-keys
In my youth I said I was more than black.
That my melanin was skin deep,
just a glance doesn’t reveal anything.
Time has taught me that I’m black enough.
I’m black enough that I got a college degree
to go with the Oreos kids called me
Black enough to pause when a cop rolls
by, even though I’ve committed no crime.
Black enough that I got family doing time.
Still black enough to be excited
about Black Lightning, Black Panther and Luke Cage.
Black enough to know people will see we are more than rage.
Black enough to never
let anyone call me outside my name,
and to rock twists until they became my mane.
See I’m black enough to know
I’m blessed enough to be made in his image.
That every breath in this body is a privilege.
I’m blessed enough to have two parents at home.
Blessed enough that God’s with me when I roam
I’m blessed enough to use these words as weapons,
cutting down all societal expectations.
Blessed enough to know that yes,
I am more than black,
but I’m still black enough.