Heaux Confessionals: Essential Heauxcabulary

CHAPTER III

Essential Heauxcabulary

IGNORANT

adjective

1. lacking knowledge or training; unlearned

2. lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact

3. uninformed, unaware, inexperienced

4. due to or showing lack of knowledge or training

PREJUDICE

noun

1. unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.

2. any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.

3. unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, especially of a hostile nature, regarding a racial, religious, or national group

RACISM

noun

1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.

3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races

Dear non-Negreauxz: “You say you don’t want to discuss racism with me because you can’t win? Well, I don’t see Bob Barker, Pat Sajak, or Alex Trebek coming around the corner to hand me a fuckin’ prize!”

(Heaux Confessionals, verbal slap #4 – Black History Month, special edition)

So what is it like living overseas as a Black American in a sea of white people?

Well, when I say the plot trickens? It TRICKENS. Some things you can eventually get used to over time. Others?

Well, not so much.

So, without further adieu, here is a snippet of what life is like living overseas. Now, you can truly say you were never told what it REALLY is like for POC.

Consider yourself warned...

Snapshot Into My Existence

do not be fooled

by the color and the shape

disrespect the struggles

in the city of Berlin

that I’ve had to take

but do make note

that for every situation

once the black fury subsides

the hope of a new day

inspires the will to survive

I’m African...American, not British

but the Cosby Show is dubbed here

so how would you know this?

as I sit on the train

minding my own goddamn business

look, it’s Kanye!

Lenny Kravitz!

Blade!

as if I’m going to like this?

do not be fooled

by the color and the shape

I’m a grown ass man

and after all I’ve had to endure?

I treat myself well when I can

and that extends to couture

although I can be that ghetto thug

shown 24/7 on MTV

today I’m rockin’ a different look, Let It Bleed

catch the show tomorrow at three

would you like to hear

from my lips to your ear

an opera piece?

a musical sonnet?

rap, hip-hop, rhyming?

never really done it

black music that isn’t black music

that’s one of the things I do

I don’t know alot about black music

but I know alot about rhythm and blues

if Amy Winehouse can do it

there’s hope for all of you too

do not be fooled

by the color and the shape

braids, afros, mohawks

and all the hairstyles in between

I’ve sorted and rocked

I’m more Malcolm that Martin

in case you forgot

for the staring

I’ve learned to manage with time

as it is in the streets

we crash and collide

so please don’t touch my hair

and cross that divide

singer-dancer-teacher-poet-painter-fucker

no job too big or small

I answer to no man

in Berlin I’ve learned

to juggle them all

you wanna ride on my coattails

ride on my cock?

schwarze, brüder

could you be more ignorant?

could you be any ruder?

do not be fooled by the color and the shape

do not be fooled by the color and the shape