A black girl’s epiphany. How do You Love Yourself? A poem.

Written by Yvvana Yeboah Duku.

June 18, 2018. 5:36 AM.

HOW DO YOU LOVE YOURSELF, BLACK QUEEN? In a world where all odds have conditioned you to doubt yourself? In a world where ordinary men play God.

Judgement & criticism shallow minds breeding cold hearts .. How do you love yourself ? When your own men teach you to hate yourself.. You get a lil passionate, you’re told you’re ratchet. You take offence, you’re told to bury the hatchet.

A world where your own men, take constant pleasure in belittling you.

Yet expect you to give them credit, irrespective of whether it’s due ? HOW DO YOU LOVE YOURSELF, BLACK QUEEN? When you walk around with a chip on your shoulder,

& you aren’t so care free, & your anger with this world,

is clear for everyone to see ? Who’s to blame? And who sparked the flame? For the monster that’s been birthed within you.

That you are constantly being told to tame? How do you love yourself ? In a world where it seems as though you could never win,

In a society where you’re slandered, as if your mere existence is a sin? Black girl Tell me.. how DO YOU LOVE YOURSELF? In a world where all odds have conditioned you to hate yourself?