It is tiring being me, as I have been black all day.
When I react, I am an animal.
When I am silent, I am violated.
When I fight back, I am a thug.
My ounce of truth benefits
And ripples and Gives voice to my pain.
When I am quiet, I am feared.
When I am successful, I am the exception.
When I fail, I am the rule.
When I try, I am mocked.
It is tiring being me, as I have been black all day.
I have learned how to stand up straight,
While holding the stereotypes of the world on my shoulders.
My ounce of truth does benefit
And ripple and Gives voice to my pain.
When I arrive, I am told I don’t belong.
When I don’t go, I am told that I make bad choices.
When I move or shrug or walk or speak or dance, I am your worst fear being bought to life.
I am the boogey man for the entire world.
Responsible for everything,
Yet incapable and unable to change anything.
My ounce of truth benefits
And though it doesn’t fit your story
It defines my life.
It is tiring being me,
As I have been black And male And living in a white world all of my life.
Dr. Kaye Wise Whitehead 
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