Black Casted

Black.
And casted,
In a multitude of colors.
Reflecting my ancestors skin.

I don't wear this as a badge.
Or a rainbow flag to wave.
I am too proud and filled with pride.
To know where inside me,
This pride I have began to reside.

And...
Accept this to believe it or not.
Never have I yet to visit or travel,
To Africa, Spain, Haiti or The West Indies.
Nor Germany, Amsterdam.
Or why it was said...
Other ancestors I had were Caucasian as well.
And when I first heard about this,
I asked my light skinned brown mother...
'MA? How can you tell?'

And in these color to identify,
Who is who to come from days.
Every step I make to take,
I choose to represent...
All my ancestors.
Some say to believe with arrogance.
Although arrogance to label me?
In these times and days in which,
Diversity is overwhelmingly displayed?
Gives me more reason,
To flaunt my talents and abilities.
With an acknowledgement...
As to where I inherited my self confidence.
Leaving me better to accept and know best,
Who it is I am.
Caring less about others who may protest.

Although...
Just to be arrogant?
With a self indulgence of it displayed?
To me is such a limited waste of time.
To pick and choose done to stay that way.
When from an array of options,
God has blessed me to receive and be.
More than being identified as Black.
And casted only to play those roles.
Roles to play reluctantly.

'So...
Does size matter to you or not?'

Size?
The size of what?

'The size of shoes your ancestors wore?
They have got to be tight.
Making your feet very sore.'

That is neither my wish.
Nor would I ever attempt to fill,
A past today that no longer exists.
And besides,
Too big they were.
But I must admit,
I do wonder how they did it.
Knowing they were resented,
For being who they were.
With or without shoes,
To walk taller even better than ever!