By Shariah Marsden
I am a vehement Black girl
My life is built on education and pyrotechnic energy
I am ethereal
you could say elysian
I am told that I am “different”
Good I want to be different
I need to be
If I remind you of someone I want to be somebody influential
synonym: important
I am the product of many, many years of imprisonment and slavery
I was forced to grow up faster than others due to the color of my skin
And the dangers that accompany it
It is dangerous
The darkness of my skin
The way my features are significantly different
We are a gem that they uncivilized eye seeks to catch and destroy
But they will never succeed
I carry the weight of my ancestors on my shoulder
I am protected by their divine spirits
My soul carries the anger they wished they could express
Yes, I represent Men and Women who fought the struggles of racial oppression and slavery
But I represent a hidden side as well
I represent Women and Men who are what people wish they could be
Who are Exotic, Mysterious, Beautiful, Strong
We are not to be played with
We are influential
We are the blueprint
We are what you could call
The trendsetters
Shariah Marsden is a student at Bard High School Early College Newark. Hailing from the West Side section of the city, she has always loved to read and write. Having her poetry be seen by the world is one of her dreams.
Featured image by Henri Antikainen