Black girls
Stand back girls
Cuz we’re ready to attack
Not with violence
But poise
Because you know they say we always making noise
They love to make assumptions
With their underconsumption, about how our culture really is
We think with our heads not our back
And are unapologetically black
Our crowns are nappy- curly long and strong
And they way we carry ourselves shouldn’t be taken wrong
Stop telling us these backhanded compliments
We don’t wanna hear that “pretty for a black girl” ignorance
We are black girls with an undefinable and unattainable luxurious culture
And it don’t belong to anyone who wasn’t born with it
So don’t try to steal our culture and then say it was ghetto when we did it
Why you wanna wear my hairstyles, say my words, and follow my path
When at the end of the day “nobody really wants to be black”
Sure I didn’t choose my skin color but I believe it chose me
Being born like this gave me the opportunity to see that the world ain’t all that good
Stay profiling our boys saying that they’re “acting hood”
Don’t stare at me when I walk in your store,
I ain’t stealing and if you keep looking I won’t be back here no more
Leave my hair alone I know you see it in your vision
But that don’t give you the right to touch it. Did I give you my permission?
Get out of my face, I’m not always mad
I’m just tired of you giving them riches, while you hand me my rags
I’m just a teen how come everything I do is being grown
Maybe it’s because you want me to follow the rest and just be a clone
But see with black girls that’s impossible because no two are alike
And if you thought we would conform to your standards Chile you can go take a hike
We are strong, we are powerful maybe it’s a lil’ gift from our melanin
It’s the reason for our health and peace and it acts like a medicine
So, from now on can you do me a favor?
Start treating us equally and love thy neighbor
Author Bio:
Lana Lawson is a 16-year-old Junior IB student at The International High School of New Orleans. She is in a journalism program called JRNOLA for young journalists in New Orleans. Lawson's hobbies include crocheting, making things, and listening to music. She is also in College Track New Orleans and studies Chinese and Korean. She hopes to travel the world one day.
Stand back girls
Cuz we’re ready to attack
Not with violence
But poise
Because you know they say we always making noise
They love to make assumptions
With their underconsumption, about how our culture really is
We think with our heads not our back
And are unapologetically black
Our crowns are nappy- curly long and strong
And they way we carry ourselves shouldn’t be taken wrong
Stop telling us these backhanded compliments
We don’t wanna hear that “pretty for a black girl” ignorance
We are black girls with an undefinable and unattainable luxurious culture
And it don’t belong to anyone who wasn’t born with it
So don’t try to steal our culture and then say it was ghetto when we did it
Why you wanna wear my hairstyles, say my words, and follow my path
When at the end of the day “nobody really wants to be black”
Sure I didn’t choose my skin color but I believe it chose me
Being born like this gave me the opportunity to see that the world ain’t all that good
Stay profiling our boys saying that they’re “acting hood”
Don’t stare at me when I walk in your store,
I ain’t stealing and if you keep looking I won’t be back here no more
Leave my hair alone I know you see it in your vision
But that don’t give you the right to touch it. Did I give you my permission?
Get out of my face, I’m not always mad
I’m just tired of you giving them riches, while you hand me my rags
I’m just a teen how come everything I do is being grown
Maybe it’s because you want me to follow the rest and just be a clone
But see with black girls that’s impossible because no two are alike
And if you thought we would conform to your standards Chile you can go take a hike
We are strong, we are powerful maybe it’s a lil’ gift from our melanin
It’s the reason for our health and peace and it acts like a medicine
So, from now on can you do me a favor?
Start treating us equally and love thy neighbor
Author Bio:
Lana Lawson is a 16-year-old Junior IB student at The International High School of New Orleans. She is in a journalism program called JRNOLA for young journalists in New Orleans. Lawson's hobbies include crocheting, making things, and listening to music. She is also in College Track New Orleans and studies Chinese and Korean. She hopes to travel the world one day.
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