Black Don’t Crack ©Dawn Minott | Black History Celebration, with audio

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry

Beautiful black skin we age with grace
Testament to the strength of melanin flowing through our race
A positive stereotype about physical appearance
While all the time oppression wearing down mental perseverance

Erasure of oppressions in subtle superficial narrative: “black don’t crack”
Historical misconceptions, lay weight on black women’s back
Superwoman schema, generations of history—a heavy load
Cape-like shield, deflect society’s discriminating code

Obliged to show strength, while hiding tears
Suppressing emotions, internalizing fears
Vulnerability, misconstrued, like foe to resist
Success pursued, while resources run amiss

Juggling roles, carrying burdens not her own
Strength for all, unrealistic seeds are sown
Grounded in racist history, archetype cast
The Mammy’s devotion, dangerous legacies that last

At the intersection of expectations, unrealistic
Femininity and strength, a delicate balance characteristic
The scales tipped her resilient stride
“Strong black woman” trope, stereotypes collide

That’s what they say: “black don’t crack”
Racist expectation of strength, attack
Express no emotion, hide fear, hold back tear
“Superwoman” schema, worn as protective gear

Yeah! That part … we dismantling that

For what won’t crack will surely break
Unravel, put a whole race at stake
So take your label, and take your trope
Being black is … well, yeah, it’s dope

I’m a black woman, see this face
Beautiful melanin, skin age with grace
I’m Educated. I’m Empowered. I’m Motivated.
For my strength, for my resilience—loved? Nah, that’s hated

But that’s what haters do
Prejudice won’t let love come through
You won’t bring me down though, make me feel blue
Your hate is your own poison, I ain’t gonna chew

The “strong black woman”, sexist-racist construction
We taking back our power, reset the foundation
Resilient women of African descent
Across the diaspora, beyond the continent

We come in all shades of choc-lit
Like fire, we blaze legit, won’t quit
Hear us roar, our beautiful is black, back
We define our strength, yeah, that won’t crack

First published 2024 All Rights Reserved

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In creative solidarity, Dee

31 thoughts on “Black Don’t Crack ©Dawn Minott | Black History Celebration, with audio”

  9. 👏🏼 Powerful lines, Dawn.
    I haven’t heard your interpretation before– a black friend of mine said that the saying refers to how black people don’t wrinkle and therefore look younger than their years. Either way, it reflects a proud strength. 💜

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