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God took the strength of a mountain,
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What Makes A Dad April 10, 2008
In Search of a Sister April 3, 2008
In Search of a Sister
We are looking for a good sister.
We are looking for a righteous sister. A real righteous sister.
Not one of those teary-eyed girls watching General Hospital who
thinks the only love worth striving
for occurs at first sight and will
be breathless with passion
by the second commercial.
choices about the future they can have together.
We are looking for a real righteous
sister who embraces passion
and wisdom.
We are looking for a righteous
sister who knows how to give unconditional love — not just demand it.
We are looking for a righteous sister who will communicate without
screaming or accusing, who will listen without trying to think of
snappy replies, and who will not
perpetuate female stereotypes by
using hormonal imbalances as an excuse to act ugly.
We are looking for a real righteous sister.
ain’t scared of honesty,
and knows it’s time to save the race righteous sister.
A good mother,
good wife, good lover, good worker,
strong supporter, intelligent,
innovative righteous sister.
A righteous sister who realizes Nintendo is not
a mother, BET is not awife,
and Fabio is not herhusband.
And accept equal responsibility for the relationship
righteous sister…and ask
how a brother’s day was
righteous sister.
And generate some sympathy for
a brother when he’s down
righteous sister…a righteous sister
who knows how to tell a good
joke, and how to take one.
A righteous sister who is confident enough about her
looks that she doesn’t have to be two hours late for every
appointment because she was primping in the mirror.
A righteous sister who realizes that if she’s beautiful
inside, tidy outside, and healthy, then $400 worth of makeup,
jewels, and esigner fashions are just covering up her real oveliness.
A righteous sister who doesn’t compare every brother she’s
never met to that last immature fool on Oprah.
A righteous sister who is an example to all around her of
what a black woman should be in times like these.
A righteous sister whose soul is pure, mind is keen, heart
is warm, and body is reserved for the one and only person she will spend
her entire life with.
A righteous sister looking for a man of comparable qualities.
A righteous sister who will encourage such a man’s
interest in her, insteadof cast him aside for the nearest crotch-grabbing,
illiterate convict who just happens to have a Corvette, a credit
card, and a Billy Dee Williams smile.
A read a book and sing a tune righteous sister…a
righteous sister who loves black men
and protects black children.
A righteous sister who doesn’t
dog her man — especially in public.
And turn Melrose off, put down Denzel’s latest Ebony cover,
put away the shallow, sugary Harlequin romances, and let’s talk
instead and build some tender, realistic love that will stand the test
of time righteous sister.
And tell your man — instead of just your homegirls –
when you’re hurting righteous sister.
And “I realize you aren’t a mind reader, so I’ll tell you
what I want” righteous sister.
A sister who is open.
A sister who can move toward her goals and toward her man’s and toward heaven.
A sister who is not intimidated or confused when a man
opens a door for her, or pulls out a chair for her, or shows her old-fashioned respect.
We are looking for a righteous sister.
We used to call her “a good sister.”
A sister who loves her people.
A sister who doesn’t take advantage of a gentleman by hitting or slapping him when she knows he wouldn’t dream of retaliating.
A sister who doesn’t make wild, abusive comments when she knows how hurtful they are.
A sister who knows that time and tenderness with her man are more important than the latest gossip on the phone.
A sister who says:”I made him feel good.I showed him how much I love and cherish him.”
A sister who is caring and sweet.
A sister who realizes that gentleness and femininity
didn’t have to die with women’s liberation, no more than chivalry had to die with Sir Galahad.
A sister who says: “I made him feel so accepted and happy and free that hefell asleep in my arms and his heartbeat sounded like the ocean after a storm …”
We are looking for a real good sister.
We are looking for a sister who will turn the ships around.
A sister who will go into the schoolhouse, the church, the home, and the social centers, and turn the ships around.
A sister who will go to the places where it is open season on our children and turn the ships around.
A sister who will hear the whimper of babies born with AIDS or addicted to crack and turn the ships around.
A sister who will see the people sleeping on the street and turn the ships around.
A sister who will support the marches in the street,
and the protests at city hall and the school board, and who will turn the ships around.
A sister who will remember how freedom feels and turn the ships around.
A sister who will gather with the warriors and march
–if only to cheer the warriors on — down to the edge of the sea and
turn the ships around…turn the ships around…
turn the ships around…and this time, turn the ships around…
Author Unknown
http://www.geocities.com/jywanza1/Afrocentricpoems1.html
Art by Henry Battle
From A Light Sister To A Dark One March 31, 2008
I am beautiful.
I am black.
I am wonderful.
I am black.
And although I may not be the color of the night sky
And although my hair may be finer
And although perhaps my nose is thinner,
I am no less black than you.
I am black.
I am black down to my soul.
I have shared with you the pains of OUR ancestors.
And although you call me names,
And although you say that I am not as black as you,
I am still black.
Black like you.
And if you don’t believe me,
look into my eyes and you will see OUR struggle.
And you will see OUR pain.
And if you study my back and feet,
you will see the weight of many years upon my shoulders.
And if you reach into the back of your mind,
you will recall us,
together in Africa,
Holding hands,
running,
playing,
laughing,
being one,
being ourselves,
being black.
Do you believe me now?
Do you see what I am talking about?
Even though I am yellow,
Even though I am not physically like you,
We were sisters.
We were together,
in OUR homeland.
We are black.
together.
Although my fine dark brothers may
not call me their Nubian Queen,
I am.
Because I too am black.
When the outside does not matter,
My black heart shines through.
My black mind is ready to learn.
My black soul is thriving;
Trying to prove my blackness,
to you, my fellow black sister.
And all the while is should not be necessary.
So you see,
I am black.
I am beautifull.
I am black.
Just like you.
By Danita Roberts
Natural Hair February 17, 2008
This is the first slide show I have done. I decided to dedicate it to afro hair.
I Cried For Help January 20, 2008
Poetic Justice
It is summer but yet the world’s cold
If you are a pregnant 15-year old
She was sweet, quiet as a mouse
But when her parents found out, she was kicked out the house
Now her boyfriend’s upset, furious and mad
Because he found out he’s gonna be a dad
Now he’s walking around the world with a frown
Then he says the baby isn’t his, and then he skips town
So she turns to the church seeking what to do
But the pastor says “we don’t help sinners like you”
She has so many questions and not enough answers
Bad news keeps coming, her grandma died because of cancer
Feeling abandon and no one to show her love
She turns to a life filled with drugs
Cocaine, PCP, Heroine… yeah she developed a habit
I think it is an understatement to call her an addict
She loved getting high, it would put her in a daze
She started sharing needles, so now she has AIDS
This girl would get high to laugh away her pain it would seem
But I don’t find the humor at dying at 15
The doctors did their best, they did all they could do
But there was no hope, the baby died too
Now this isn’t a story about Mary Ann or Suzie Q
This is about a Negro girl that looks just like you
This poem isn’t made to make you mad but to make you think
This is poetic juice for your mind to drink
If you see this girl drowning, help her before she sinks…
Written by Torrian Tucker
Still I rise January 6, 2008
I Still Rise
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
By Maya Angelo
What is your favourite black comedy? January 6, 2008
There has been a lot of discussion on what has been the best black comedy that has hit television many has said The Cosby Show. So my questions is what do you believe has been the best black comdey?
PHENOMENAL WOMEN January 4, 2008
by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I’m not cute or built to
suit a model’s fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I’m telling lies.
I say
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
and to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees
I say
It’s the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
Phenomenal woman
That’s me. Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say
It’s in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.
Fashion for my figure January 2, 2008
Clothes for black women
I don’t know about you but I am finding it really hard to find clothes that suits my figure. I am not over weight but it is known that black women have a different body shape to other women. I try on something and it is to small around the hips and then you get the next size up and it is too big. Alot of clothes are not made for black women. Do we need more designers to make clothes that suits us and fits us properly. I understand that women comes in all different shapes and sizes and I know not just black women find it difficult to find clothes that fit them, the fashion industry only designs clothes for a limited audience.
So what are your views on this. Does the fashion industry need to expand their audience?
Uplifting Black poem December 31, 2007
Lord Why Did You Make Me Black?
Why did You make me someone the world wants to hold back? Black is the color of dirty clothes; the color of grimy hands and feet. Black is the color of darkness; the color of tire beaten streets.
Why did You give me thick lips, a broad nose and kinky hair? Why did You make me someone who receives the hatred stare? Black is the color of a bruised eye when somebody gets hurt. Black is the color of darkness, Black is the color of dirt. How come my bone structure’s so thick: my hips and cheeks are high? How come my eyes are brown and not the color of daylight sky?
Why do people think I’m useless? How come I feel so used? Why do some people see my skin and think I should be abused? Lord, I just don’t understand; what it is about my skin: Why do some people want to hate me and not know the person within?
Black is what people are “listed” when others want to keep them away. Black is the color of shadows cast. Black is the end of the day. Lord, You know my own people mistreat me and I know this just isn’t right. They don’t like my hair or the way I look; they say I’m too dark or light. Lord, don’t You think it’s time for You to make a change? Why don’t You re-do creation and make everyone the same.
(The Reply)
Why did I make you Black? Get off your knees and look around. Tell me what do you see? I did not make you in the image of darkness. I made you in the likeness of Me. I made you the color of coal from which beautiful diamonds are formed. I made you the color of oil, the black gold that keeps people warm.
I made you from the rich, dark earth that can grow the food you need. Your color’s the same as the panther’s, known for beauty and speed. Your color is the same as the black stallion, a majestic animal is he. I did not make you in the image of darkness, I made you in the image of Me.
All the colors of a heavenly rainbow can be found throughout every nation; but when those colors blended well; you became My greatest creation.
Your hair is the texture of lambs’ wool such a humble little creature is he. I am the Shepherd who watches over them, I am the One who will watch over thee. You are the color of midnight sky, I put the stars’ glitter in your eyes. There is a beautiful smile hidden behind your pain, that’s the reason why your cheeks are high.
You are the color of dark clouds formed when I send my strongest weather, I made your lips full so when you kiss the one you love, you will remember. Your stature is strong; and your bone structure is thick to withstand the burdens of time. That reflection you see in the mirror…the image that looks back is Mine.
By RuNett Nia Ebo
