MALE MINORITY

By: Karen L. McFarlane © 2008/

I'm black and male

My struggle is great

For I am judged for just being

I am instantly considered a fiend

One to fear

One who does not care about me

About you

Most of the time that’s not true

I’m considered the least amongst the rest

I’m expected not to achieve my best

My inheritance is one of brokenness

I’m expected to die

Before my time

Never attaining the destiny that’s mine

I’m black and male

A fact I sometimes I hate

For I’m judged for just being free

To simply live and be

To drive a car

To walk the streets

And when I do,  I am feared

Simply for my “nappy” hair

If I try to voice my defense

I could find myself facing an offense

For I am black and male

My colleagues of another race

Do not endure what I face

To them is given every grace

To simply live and be

And walk the streets in peace

For they are not black and male

So what do I do

To society’s expectation do I become true

To fail, be imprisoned and without hope

Or to shatter and break out of that mold

And be the empowered me

Respectfully black and male

Excellently, unapologetically, regally me

No longer hating or being afraid

Of being black and male