Being Black

Adjacent to this poem is a story I’d like to share: Being Black at Berkeley Haas

For me, being black's not the shape of my nose
The width of my lips
The wear I wear clothes

Being black is like a soulful melody
It means I am strong
I deserve to be free

Guys, I feel like I live a secret life
Strangers are proud
Students ask for advice

Because we share the same skin,
We share the same code
And when I switch mine to meet them
I feel bold

Sometimes I forget
Who I am for a moment
But then I hear Luther
That dude’s a straight poet

And not everyone will know
What I mean, where I stand
But those who do, know me,
I hope these words land