Duality

This is me, inside this skin. Which box is it, you'll put me in?

Do I check Black? Do I check White?

To which one do I have the right?

Green eyes and freckles with curly hair... do you see a black girl under there?

You hear a white girl when I talk, so you think I can't be from your block.

You think I should choose one identity. Which one defines who I should be?

"You aren't black, look at your skin. You cannot say the things we say. You must be mindful of your look before you speak to us that way."

"But you ain't white cause of the half that has a splintered family tree. An ounce of blood from that deep root makes you as black as you can be."

"You musn't date a boy like him with your skin looking so pale. Quit taking all the good black men or else you'll pay some hell."

"But if you don't choose a brother then you commit a culture sin. You dishonor your black heritage if you only love white men."

I am supposed to know which way is up while the rules change with each shade? When people buy these vicious lies, foolish mistakes are made.

Our ignorance leads us to fear, then fear leads us to hate. Why don't we strive to overcome and finally clean the slate?

There is an enemy among us, seeking only to devour. A beast born out of our own fears, he's getting stronger by the hour.

Who can see more sides than one and set their prejudice aside? Who among you cares to know who I really am inside?

I am more than just a mixture of two shades that don't exist. I am made up of the kind of flame that a spark just can't resist.