Black Lives Movement
Addressing an unjust world
Wouter Engler, via Wikimedia Commons, with permission
Black Lives Matter protester holding a sign in Rotterdam, Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
June 4, 2020
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an African American man, died in Minneapolis due to having police officer Derek Chauvin’s knee pressed into Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 49 second as Floyd begged for air.
The skin I am in I should celebrate.
— Dayna McRae
Since then, there have been protests in all 50 states with people wanting justice. Many people have carried Black Lives Matter posters and chanted No Justice, No Peace. This surge in the Black Lives Matter movement has been taking place since the day Floyd was murdered.
After years and years of oppression in Black communities, people have gotten tired of police brutality and racism. They are pushing back. Protests have taken place as close as Brockton and Boston.
Recently, I wrote this poem about my identity. Some people love Black culture until it is time to take Black matters seriously. Then, they go silent and there is no voice. I wanted to give voice to what was going on and how I feel personally.
Song of Black Girl Power
I search for those in common with me
Who share my insecurities:
My dark skin, my kinky tight curls,
The way I look, the way I talk,
Is not good enough in the life I walk
I remember my parents telling me
I am smart and good
Enough
That is what I am
That is who I am
The skin I am in I should celebrate
I am Black Girl Power
No shame in that
I am no better than anyone else
And they are no better than me
I am not unworthy or unequal,
I am more than a minority
My ancestors fought
Their voice bequeathed wisdom to my youth
So that I’m comfortable in my own skin
So that I can have the same rights as everyone else
I wonder: Are you comfortable in your own skin?
Zachary Gousby • Jun 12, 2020 at 2:03 PM
So potent, Your way with words really ministered. I hope that we continue to read more compositions from you. They are healing and awakening.
Megan Kenealy • Jun 5, 2020 at 10:04 AM
Dayna–This poem is beautiful as are you. Keep celebrating the skin you are in and keep sharing your poetry with us.
Susan Harrington • Jun 4, 2020 at 4:26 PM
Beautiful words! You have a gift with your poetry. You ARE a gift! Best of luck as you conquer your dreams 🙂
Isadora Gousby • Jun 4, 2020 at 1:38 PM
Thank you for sharing a piece of who you are. I am extremely proud of you and hope this inspires other to be comfortable in their own skin no matter how dark their skin may be.
#blackisbeautiful
Vicki • Jun 4, 2020 at 1:06 PM
Beautifully written, well done.
Your poem reminds me of a quote from Sojourner Truth: “Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that ‘twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what’s all this here talking about?”
Can you imagine that these words are as relevant at this moment as they were 200 hundred years ago?
I also feel hope in your poem. Keep speaking, writing, sharing! I’m going to go read your poem to my little girl right now 🙂
Thank you!
Elizabeth Gonsalves • Jun 4, 2020 at 12:55 PM
Dayna— thank you for raising your voice in this article and poem. I especially found the lines, “ Their voice bequeathed wisdom to my youth so that I’m comfortable in my own skin, so that I can have the same rights as everyone else” . Your words tell me that I should be less comfortable in my own skin, that I should listen & learn. Thank you for being my teacher, Dayna.