A Tribute to the Strength of the Black Woman
CALL HER …
We’ve called her every disrespectful name under the sun …
The obligatory cute, good looking, pretty
Oh yes and begrudgingly we whisper under our breaths beautiful
There is so much more to her being sexy …
so wipe that salacious Cheshire cat grin from your face she’s not ground turkey
Furthermore,
we pay scant regard and stifle the real beauty
she has bursting inside
Call her sage … rosemary … rue … cinnamon
Because she heals us with her smile,
encouraging words
and thoughtful gestures
Call her Mujer Negro … Femme Noire … Donna di Colore … Nyeusi Manamke
The nations tried
but all agreed that one language could not suffice black woman
Call her ethereal …
her essence extremely delicate
and even rarer than manna
she’s probably not even of this world
Call her mahogany,
for the strength she exudes rivals that of the great Beowulf …
Call her ebony,
luminous,
effervescent,
chocolate, caramel, coffee,
honey brown sugar
I don’t ever know how you’ll describe this amazing creature …
but the world will know by what you choose to call her.
— Ravenne Reid
Jamaica Gleaner: February 7, 2016
This sums up very well where we are in Jamaica and elsewhere in the world with regards to common barriers to economic reform. What can each person do?