I  Am Not My Complexion

by April Sims

Why does it matter the lightness of my complexion?

Why does it seem to give your brain an erection and

Makes your eyes stand at attention?

And call me names like yellow, redbone, honey beige, light brown

Oh, and my favorite light, bright damn near white

Well, stand down soldier

Because I am giving you orders

To judge me by my contents and my character

That is beneath my light skin

It should not matter how much cream

Flows through my bloodstream

Because we are all the same because "they"

(Whoever they are)

Say one drop commences the colored chart

We must learn to love one another

And embrace one another

Or pretty soon we will be extinct and "they"

Will say mission accomplished

I guess I am naive, because I was raised in a big melting pot where all the races, creeds, colors, etc. made up one big stew.  I have come to peek from behind my rose colored glasses and see things for what they are.  Things that are today but with acknowledgement can be changed for a better future.