by Lauren Bealore

Aint I a woman

My strength held the rights of cups overflown

And honey I saw the seeds I planted grown

But the pain from the beating I bear alone

By Lauren Bealore

My Black has been viewed as both wretched and wicked

Through the socially constructed eyes filled with despise and demise

My Black to them looked less like a butterfly and more of the appearance of a cricket 

by Zuri

Bad behavior tempts the fragile mind

into bent shapes, paper clips, intuition

creates imbalance.

by Christopher Sean

Once upon a time our culture was ripped away from us. . .

they took what we made Gold of and offered us the Brewster projects. . .

and the Jeffries. . .

framed as “High rises” aimed to keep us low. . .

and away because we weren’t “supposed” to be there in the first place. . .

by Brightmo' Prince

“They will never accept your black ass”

We’ve heard it, we’ve learned it

All they really want is

A quiet

Articulate,

Present but timid

Never saying more than what is needed

Nigga.

            I mean, “black man"

by Zuri

An ocean called my name last night

Now, I crave you

by James Kaymore

Since conception, we have been told, that our color is bad.

Been told lies of the things that has been done in the past.

Stripped of ourt heritage, robbed of creations,

blinded by inequities, strained in relations.

Like murder, and deceit, is colored in black.

While civilizations, were born on the`strength of our backs...

by Christopher Sean

Sometimes Detroit is everything I Love

Sometimes Detroit is everything I Hate

by Brandi Taliafero

So what were the truest intentions? . . . were your desires met? . . as quiet as kept, 

low-key I fell for you . . .hard.

I’m lowered into this dark place . . . A place I thought I left when I left you