I AM BLACK

I sat down today, and thought of what I am truly feeling, 

I said I am black but I felt doubt 

I said I am black but I did not say it out loud

I said I am black, but I did not have much fight in me

 You know Black Panthers shit, I didn’t have much pride in me.

I said I am black but I feel out of place, and I guess it is because I am black. I feel as if I am from a dying race.Whenever I speak about being black, why do you get nervous? I try to explain myself but you tell me stop being aggressive and when I calm down I’m sorry am I being depressive… I don’t think you understand me.. I don’t think you ever will,

We are the kings and queens from empires and castles and clans

But to you we are the unknown, the lost souls, and the drifters of the western world. Far away from home

For those UNCLE TOMS and Bounty's who want to be of the other….

Take hold of your roots because you will never be another colour! 

So take care of each other, and don’t sell out or kill your other brother! 

I look at Malcolm and Martin and say your message did not reach us,

Your message that you gave to our community did not lead us. Rosa park, stayed down so we can have our head up, I am fed up of this political mess up! 

How can we have faith in a dead system, with leaders and presidents with no hearts who give powers to men who are not from the struggle?

I shed a tear for those behind bars in courts at this moment, whose lives are in the hands of men who think they own it. I pray to GOD that we are forgiven and to those who are innocent justice is given.. 

On that note, 

I am black, and I won’t be my own barrier 

I am black and I won't be another statistic of failure

I am black, and I am aware that I have to put in more effort

I shall sweat, i shall bleed i shall suffer if i must so the next generation can walk calmly amongst others

Without worrying to be killed, harassed or abused, to be called names or to be treated any different due to the colour of their skin.

I am sorry Uncle TOM but when you walked and tried to please ‘the other’ you let your own people suffer. Instead of educating and helping them to rise, you got greedy and brain washed her, and that's when she became Miss bounty. You wanted to prove yourself but didn’t give a fuck about ‘the others’.  You told her to look normal and acceptable and so she almost killed herself every night to try and look like them.

Black is beautiful, being you is just as normal, learn to be comfortable, it’s a shame that people are scared of being comfortable and they feel uncomfortable whenever their feeling comfortable.

Your brother realized just how messed up you become, and he realized that poor bounty isn’t so strong. He stood up and taught the people how it really should be, your brother Marcus Garvey set up businesses that the world would come and see! So many people where inspired by him…

Always remember that we are incredible and everything we do is unimaginable. We should let go of our fears and give into our vision, 

Sofie Omar

Copyright © 2013

Reflection: life and friendship

At a time of healing are we as grateful as at a time in need?

We seem to look away from what is important during our greatest hour

but become religious when we haste for riches and power.

I seem to dwell upon a future not promised to me,

so I stay up late hours trying to shape what may not be given to me,

Truth is I do not appreciate the chance and gift of today?

I reflect upon it and decide to sleep upon it

knowing that the next day I may not even act upon it

Its a dark decision which risks me in numerous ways

but its my way of being now and I struggle to change these ways.

Dear He can you help support me like you do in most of my days,

I know when the world is against me you always seem to brighten my days ,

during the tuff times you answer my prayers, and during the joy,

I forget to say thank u, do excuse my horrible ways.At time of reflection I seem to realize the truth

but during reality I seem to hide it under the carpet, The dust piles up and I start to walk on unseeing mountains

created due to my own ignorance.

I am no different then othersYou and me need to start realizing that the more we ignore..

the more we create barriers for one an otherDear he can you please protect us from one an other,

so that we can only benefit each other.

Its either that or we seriously need to stay away from each other.

Sofie Omar

Copyright © 2011

George

“George!”

Whispered a female voice

“Light that torch.”

Let us tell you the story about George – Life gave no choice!

Born in Sierra Leone

We had no reason to moan

Sunshine on my skin

Born with patience, it was never wearing thin

Sand floating; like the river Nile

Couldn’t help but listen to my Grandfather for a while

Birds tweeting like they’ve never seen any grief

While my conflict was still sleeping, there was always peace

Beautiful melody as the folks were singing

Happily, gathered around, the warmth you were bringing

One god, one world, one family

Meaning stability, giving security, living destiny, loving eternity

All of a sudden bullets like stars start to fly

All of a sudden tearless faces, start to cry

All of a sudden one became many

“Bekele!” whispered my nanny

“Light that torch, for peace!”

Deported! She was rebelling for peace, I’m down on my knees

Traumatized! Closed my eyes the whole journey, the land I see

Is not the land of the free

If it was? How come every black woman is put in chain

Centuries later, they will call my birth place “Free Town”

I guess I have to die for that freedom – skin black – eyes brown

Can you please tell me my name

It changed over time – History won’t remember me as the same

“George!” that is what I heard

“Hold that torch!” that’s what I was told, but didn’t understand any word

I didn’t understand why my mother was raped

I didn’t understand why my father’s blood was drained

I didn’t seem to know

To survive I had to extinguish that torches’ glow

Day in, day out on that field I had to starve

Standing on his porch, my self-righteous master would only laugh

Pregnant black woman on the fields

There is nothing that protects her or shields

Her from the truth and all the pain

Her virginity taken by force, her people regarding her as a stain

“Bekele!” that’s what she cried

“Hold that torch! He took all my pride!”

While holding that torch, the dark took her away

“She took her own life.” That’s what history will say!

Who will put us out of our agony?

Uncle Tom said:” George. Light that torch in history.

The fire of youth makes you want to extinguish that torches’ glow

Bear the pain patiently and tell your story like my mother Harriet Beecher-Stowe"

Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation

Came too late for me, but paved my people’s destination

The bullet of justice hit me in Tennessee

Trying to take my people back to “Free Town”. Finally free.

Sofia Omar in collaboration with Pen ‘N’ Paper