Blackness and All

I’m not like the rest; I’ve read between the lines. It’s not meant for us. But no matter how hard you try to erase me, I still exist. I am not the token you’ve made me out to be. I am not defined by the Blackness you created, and I’m not limited to its finality. You have taken what is beautiful and rendered me, Black, in the worst way possible — into nothingness. But my raised skin still utters silent screams. I was there and I’m still here. Despite you, I made it. We’ve all made do with what we’ve been dealt. But we’re not all given the same homework. Mine calls for Blacking out all that is left of me. Yours asks me to bleach my skin, and gives you ink to whiteout your mistakes.  I'm not your Black sheep, but I am here. Blackness and all.