Written piece
Black Child
Rhoda Mwiya
Zambia
About this piece
Black Child, is a poem written specifically to remind an African child of their roots. There is beauty in remaining who you truly are than trying to be what you are not. There's beauty in fighting to keep the legacy of our forefathers the ones that fought for what we call home!
BLACK CHILD written by: Mwiya Rhoda Mbololwa.
Once and for all, my dear kachanana proclaimed, “beauty is the sun as it rises in the east, for the first to see its light is the great Kilimanjaro, Beauty is the vast land they call Sahara, as the sun sets it turns into gold, beauty is the face of an African Child, because in it, hope for Africa’s future lives, beauty is the faith of our forefathers, who fought for this land we now call home, and beauty is our hearts, if we keep this hope alive”. Let us protect and nurture this future generation.
Beauty is Africa, tell me why ‘they’ would scramble for something priceless. Amidst all the praises the word alas! Emerge bigger, because our culture is diminishing, our values are perishing, and our future is vanishing!
What became of your black skin that once shined like a newly born panther? Your cocoa tone skin, who made it yellow!!
Why does our hair rebel against nature, why, why does it compete with the brooms and mops of our present time?
Why does your accent lie, it lies between truth and a lie, it confuses your origin!
Who called you Chloe? What happened to Lubuto or Mubotu? who called you baddie? Your modestic dressing, who said its Soo baad!
The respect has vanished in thin air. How did you replace Eh mukwae with YEAH! Enisha bacwani with HEY!
Dear Black Child, there is more to being black than just lying in that melanin skin. Rise above your battles with the conquering spirit of Shaka, Break boundaries with the strong will of Kenneth Kaunda. Fasten your determination, in this battle you’re Wakanda forever, with ubuntu’s cheer your way up!
Remember, the Black ones were created to fly high with the Eagles, to walk with the Lions, with the boldness of an elephant. Beauty is our hearts when we keep the legacy alive, because you are legacy!!!