4C

Brown, black, white, red

These are the colors that my ancestors bred.

Not just one color alone,

but society believes it's the only one I should own.

Mirrors reflect all the colors I have within, but on paper it's usually only one box I can put a checkmark in.

When I speak with poise, a different color is used to belittle me.

When I speak with passion, another color is used to degrade me.

I'm another color when I wear my natural hair,

but when I straighten my hair, "oh I must have this color in me somewhere".

"You eat this?" "You eat that?" "Oh you must be this color because you can't be that".

But they're wrong because I'm all of that and more.

I'm brown, black, white, and red

which is something I adore.

Yes, I love watermelon and I love cucumber sandwiches too.

I also love me some elotes and even some egusi soup.

All my colors may not be visible to you.

Nor do they define me or imply why I do what I do.

But they blend so well to make a perfect me,

and honestly I'm the only one who needs to see.

These are the colors my ancestors bred with love.

Brown, black, white, and red

a perfect gift from above.