Ridiculed,
and for what?
Because I have talent
in my brown skin?

or is it because I am confident
in my brown skin?
I set trends
with my brown skin.

And this brown skin, as smooth as honey
curves and hugs my flesh,
clings to my every move,
speaks when I have said nothing.

Does my brown skin offend you?
or does it just
intimidate you?

Because I stride
in my brown skin.
I don't hide
in my brown skin
because my brown skin is my testimony.

The hardships I've endured
and the pain I've suppressed
was all worth it, because
I take pride
in my brown skin.

So when we cross paths,
please respect my brown skin.
Because the pages within me are
greater than my cover.

Andreanna Atkins

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-darker-the-skin-the-deeper-the-roots/