You don’t know my name

Staring at me inquisitively from across the room

Hesitating to approach; at that distance I am aloof

Watching me dance to some old school beats

Thinking I’m trying to be cute; it’s my femininity

You don’t know who I am

Assuming I’m some girl with snobbish ways

Unknowing the struggles I’ve seen; these are better days

Simplifying without information formulating first impressions

Not considering the smile that I wear is victory over depression

You don’t get my steelo

Misunderstanding my grammar for a person of privilege

The pride I have for my race; is the reason why I am this.

Why am I having this conversation; you seem not to understand

I’m weary of the assumptions coming from mouths of the Black man.

You decided I think I’m too good for you to step to me

I seem to have it together, you don’t want to mess with me.

“That kind of woman will probably always be by herself

She seems so independent like she don’t need nobody else.”

Yes, I heard those words and imagine my chagrin

If that is what we’ve come to, what a state of mind we’re in.

I’ve been to college

Shouldn’t I sound like it?

But bet that up, Yo--I’m from ‘round the way

Say I sound like “whitey”…why do we think that way.

Pronunciation, alliteration, enunciation don’t belong to whites

Control of the English language is also an African American right.

I also know about double-dutching in the parking lot of the projects

Sitting on the stoop till late at night

Reading books by my window

Cause we didn’t have any lights.

Popcorn for dinner ‘cause momma got it free

Didn’t miss school; two guaranteed meals.

In the summer no food to eat…

Those summer days living in the trailer park

Roaming the ‘hood playing games

Until it got close to dark

Hoping someone asked me to stay the night

A hot bath seemed a luxury;

Yeah….“all my life I had to fight”

U Say I’m too proper and sound like a know it all.

I believe I represent my People and I try to answer their call.

That call to self improvement; self-respect; higher education

I want Us to be seen in our glory as the true essence of civilization.

I don’t look down at you if your phrases sound kinda strange

So why do you look at me crazily ‘cause my first language isn’t slang.

I don’t have it all together; but everyday I have to try

Never imagined to my own people; I’d have to explain why.

The beauty of expression isn’t owned by hip hop artists on the mic

Off camera most speak with perfect diction, don’t believe the hype.

As much as I want to;

I can’t dumb down for you

And no, I don’t want to be alone in my life

Playing stupid isn’t the way for ME to become a wife.

I want a man with some guts anyway

If of my intelligence you are afraid

Stay over there; you were right not to approach me

Strength’s more than muscles; a mental athlete is more my speed

That doesn’t make me a snob nor does it mean I’m stuck up

So you think, I think I’m all that…guess what?

I ‘on give a f***. (espressomysoul)