What Are You?

“What are you?” he asks& “I’m Black.”“Oh, so you’re the one we stole.One of those we put on the boat.We heard them screams coming from the base of your throat.& Must’ve been daunting.I heard all yall were sick and dying.& But that’s what you’re used to, no?& Infestation and disease,dirt and feces.I’ll tell you what, you’re lucky we took you from that place you call home.”& “No, I’m Black.”“Yeah, the ones we kept in the field.& Whip after whip.Those shrills were empowering I tell you that.Kneeling in front of the white man, while being slashed at.& Y’know I separated mother from child.Forced you to have my kin, but I ain’t claiming no mulatto.& I had yall thinking death was better than a life like this.”“No sir, I’m Black.”“You’re the ones who wanted freedom so bad.Well I’ll tell you what, we had ole Abraham free you.But what a fool you were thinking that would foster a new view.& Spitting in your face, killing you in broad day.Painting black on our face to entertain the parade.Tricking you into thinking fighting for this country will set you freeNo, you still belong to me.”“I’ll ask you again.” “What are you?”& “I’m, Black sir.”“One of...