NASwrites

 Under-privileged because of the color of my skin

 Not taken seriously because my age has “teen” at the end

 Unsupported as one of strong spirituality

 Disadvantaged because of my anatomy

 

 Only accepted to fulfill quotas – and tolerated to suppress racist egos

 You think that I have an equal chance at reaching my goals…

 Because I share a class with white, middle-class students, like you

 That’s funny and untrue; I have to work twice as hard and be twice as

     good

 And if it were, that’s not what equality means

 We should be equal because we’re all human beings

 

 “Life’s all about friends and fun; I spend my summers baskin’ in the    

      sun.”

 Sometimes I wish that’s how I felt, but that’s not the life I was dealt

 My life’s about survival: Work to make money, make money to pay

      bills

 Please God help me fulfill Your holy will

 

 Some might say, “How does being religious make you a minority?”

 If I were merely religious then I wouldn’t be

 What makes me different is that I actually depend on God, which

      make me seem odd

 Most teenagers believe that they have forever to fix mistakes

 I know that my life is about now or never

But bein’ a believer doesn’t mean bein’ locked in my house; it doesn’t

      mean bein’ quiet as a mouse

It merely sets a standard for my life

 

“I can’t do as much as he can; I’m so small and fragile”

That’s what guys want to hear us say

Men don’t understand… how much emotional suffering a woman can

      withstand

A strong heart, a gentle hand

Sure this world’s run by men (That’s what they think)

If only they could remember who conceived and nurtured them

I’m not saying we don’t need them, but I only want to make it known,

that women can definitely hold their own

Just something for men to meditate on

 

My race gives me roots and culture

My age allows me to grow into the woman I should and hope to be

My faith gives me peace of mind

My gender gives me strength and compassion

Inside the soul of a black, teenage, Christian, female

Inside the soul of me