Writer Spotlight - Alayhe McFarland

THE BLACK WOMAN

The Black Woman is often imitated, but can never truly be duplicated.

From the swaying of the hips, to the shape of the lips,

to the very essence of the way she speaks.

The Black Woman possesses a history of being robbed of her innocence at a tender age,

her body is criticized for its shape and humiliated for its color, violated in every sense of the

word.

Instead of protection, she is told to “YOU ARE TO BLAME FOR WHAT HAPPENED!”

Instead of respect, she is told “YOU ARE WORTHLESS!”

Instead of praise, she is “REMINDED OF HER PLACE AT THE BOTTOM OF HUMANITY!”

The Black Woman stands alone, fighting for her voice, for her story to be told,

as the eyes of judgment criticize her demeanor.

She battles for her worth to be acknowledged and celebrated,

in face of those who label her passion as “BLACK AND ANGRY.”

As the stereotypes and labels are forced upon her,

the resilience that defines her is tested time and time again.

The Black Woman might as well have created her very own existence,

for she has never been allowed to claim anything as her own,

and no one will catch her when she falls.