I will not self-abandon.
I will not lend my worth.
I will not dance for you, but for me.
I know peace is the answer.
I will not succumb to oppression.
I will not bow down to the white male.
I will not forget my purpose on Earth.
I will not be defined by my trauma.
I will not idolize humans any longer.
I will not side with denial because everyone plays a part.
Everyone can be part of the solution.
LIfe is meant for actualization, or it is wasted on repeating trauma and self-abuse.
I will not forget what everyone’s ancestors have sacrificed for me to live in comfort and peace.
I will live an emotionally sober life for all my ancestors’ hardships, lost dreams, and false hopes. It was not for nothing. It was for me to recover and break the racial trauma chain.
Gather all collective generational trauma souls.
Our voices can finally be heard in safe spaces.
I will not lend my unique talents, gifts, and relentless hard work to your privileged entitlement.
I will validate myself and become enlightened by those who are humble.
I laugh loudly, cry hard, and embrace recovery on my terms.
This heartbeat is stronger than the crippling fear of my past.
Your war drum ain't more powerful than this uprising of the global majority.
I will no longer turn a convenient eye away from the truth.
Thank you, V and Suheir, for the inspiration and format for this poem.
Angela L