I am black before I am human, I am a disgrace before I am accepted, I am a thief before I am an ally. I am a child before I am bright, I am dead before I am alive, I am split between two worlds and Neither one accepts me. I am broken but taped together, My skin does not define me. I am more than what they say. I am strong. They don’t care about my mental state, Mental institutions are just a romantic place. Why is it so normal we’re So broken yet they say nothing? They may not understand my pain Or that I live my life in vain, And in excessive rage Why do they do this to me? Why do they do this to us? My gender defines me My skin degrades me Why do I care what they think? What I want is not what they want but yet, I accept me Despite what the world wants, I am not weak I love me for me NOT for who they want me to be.