Roles
A poem about being born into our roles we play
I am the first
First child, first grandkid, first niece
The prototype
The role model
Being crushed under the weight of responsibility.
My skin turns me into a walking movement
A library on black rights
A testing ground on what is appropriate to say.
Being a woman means my rights are treated as privileges
Means doctors can choose if they want to hear me
Means my body is meant to produce and nothing else.
It feels like my existence is an experiment
How far can we push the sad black girl?
What’s her limit?
Using me to see how to treat those after me.
Its a game that I can’t win and most definitely won’t lose.
I may cry in private but when I walk outside
Head held high
I am a role model
I am a teacher
I am a movement.
Even if I never asked to be.
About the Creator
Imani Walton
I used to write all the time and someway, somehow lost my way. Here’s me finding my passion again! I hope you enjoy
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
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Comments (19)
Fabulous!
Well written. Keep it up
Fascinating. Well done
well written . You have been raised on how to survive in a very strange world. Keep the strength
I love it❤
I love it
Wow so much emotion but an incredibly strong message! Brilliantly written 🤍
I am a proud, strong, independant woman!
Really good! You put lots of emotion in this! Take a stand! Good work! Fantastic!
Very well written, congratulations on top story.
I am a woman.
Nice written... your words carry lot ... I loved it.. congrats on the TS
This righ here "Its a game that I can’t win and most definitely won’t lose." Wonderful words. Congrats on the TS.
This is amazing, it captures so much - the un-asked for muti-faceted weight, the caveats of the weight, the way you carry it, because if you dont, it will crush you.
Wonderfully expressed, that is a lot to carry.
Right! I so get this and I love it!
There are some things here that I can't identify with, given our different demographics. But I resonate hard with the prototype line! First son, grandson, nephew, being the test case to see what works for those who come after is a heavy load. Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful, raw poem and congrats on Top Story!
Fabulous!!! Congratulations on Top Story!!!❤️❤️💕
Profound and Accurate 🥹♥️📝💯👌Congratulations on your Top Story🎉