Her ivory skin hid the truth
And golden hair sealed the deal.
Passing was an art she crafted.
Cutting through the Anglo façade.
Who did she see, this woman of secret?
Her African lineage, she was so ashamed.
Because they couldn’t embrace
the true beauty
of her ivory ebony skin.
African isn’t her color,
it’s her lineage.
Yet, she denies
the beauty of her soul
and that of her mothers
because their skin doesn't match.
Alone she will lie
Because she never knew
That black and white
is simply light and it’s absence
and her ivory skin is simply
lighter than brown.
Author notes
Reading the poetry and speaking to the leader of this contest made me think of another great writer. I hope this is ok, this is based on a novel called 'Passing' by Nella Larson (a story of a really unfortunate African American woman that is mixed race and passes as white to 'get ahead in life') Nella let's the character live in her ignorance and allows us to be the judge, is she wrong for trying to survive in a time where one couldn't excel simply because of his/her color? It's such a sad story and really lets us see the ignorance of 'color' and race. The label makes everything when in fact; it means nothing about the individual. Every skin color, from ivory to ebony is beautiful; I wish more people understood that. I think we are approaching that time though.
In a list
A contest entry
- Harlem Renaissance Reunion - A Contest by poetryality.
1750 points, ended March 30, 4 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 24 of 24
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I liked that...I Wish there was more like that on this site
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Impressive
These are impressive words so well strung together and the message is vibrant in it's effort to makes us all see what we should and not what we want.
Brill
Terry
Alone she will lie
Because she never knew
That black and white
is simply light and it’s absence
and her ivory skin is simply
lighter than brown.
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In our Harlem Renaissance Tour, we mention the works of Nella Larson, along with a litany of other Black female writers. It was our preference that you choose your poet from the provided list but we are happy that you ventured out a step further.
I am with madamcb in her mention of the movie; "Imitation of Life" which depicted the instance you write so eloquently about. This entry is surely suitable for this contest and takes the readers to the concepts of Nella Larson, a name that should be more widely known.
Thank you for this entry and we wish you the best in the challenge.
Much Love & Respect ♥
Renee
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Hmmm... What can I say that'll make you think I'm a deep philisophical guy who walks around in a smoking jacket while puffing a pipe. LOL! Honestly, our character and experiences combined molds us in ways that are usually inexplicable. I can't knock or praise that. Beleive me, I can go on and on but this isn't where I should do it.
The poem? I like the flow and content but it's HARD TO READ! Good luck. One.
Dez -
Very nice. There is much tragedy in a person denying or hating something so fundamental about themselves... reminds me also of the movie "Imitation of Life" which also based on many true and painful stories of "passing" within families.
P.S. The small font may be difficult for some to read (for me anyway LOL).
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Thanks. Oh I'll make it bigger. I have a Mac with those big screens so I don't know better. haha. sorry :-)
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I really enjoyed reading this, not because this is my race but because its a breath of fresh air. You don't see many poems like this around AP. My only critique is the line "of her ivory ebony skin." As far as I know, ivory and ebony are too opposite colors, so I think this line is contradicting itself... Thank you for sharing this with the group.
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Thank you for commenting. I meant to do this. As her skin is "black" based on race yet "white" based on pigment. It's like her skin is the oxymoron. I hope that helps you understand why I chose to pick those words. :-)
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I play W.O.W and was recently insulted because I'm Puerto Rican. people called me really ugly names and it made me mad because I'm proud...I'd never try to be anything but what I am. Thanks for the author notes I think I'll try to read about this woman.
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What is wow? That's terrible that you have to go through that, I know how it feels to have to deal with racism. My warmest goes to you. Remember to stay strong and never be ashamed of who you are, it is the ignorant racist people that should be ashamed. I love that as Latinos, we are a nice rich mixture or nationalities. I think there is a real beauty in that. Thanks for commenting!
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Enjoyed reading this lovely poem, and the comments below as well- very educational, as well as entertaining. I am sure the politics of the states will go through major changes when the new president is elected, not matter what the results. Cannot keep going the way it has been, for sure. Can say that as I am not American.
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Thanks for your commentary.
I do hope so.
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I love it!and I understand that!
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First let me say this is a beautiful poem with many points to it. That being said I feel compelled more to comment on the Author's notes and point out a few things:
First:
The division within the African-American shades is a programming that has successfully continued and proliferated from slave times. In order for a slave master to successfully control his "property" without loss from runaways and death (by slave trackers) he caused a riff between the house slaves and field slaves.
The house slaves tended to be light skinned. This served two purposes. It helped reinforce the notion by whites that white was superior since the light skinned house slaves were given higher responsibilities and oversaw the darker field slaves. It helped hide the shame of the masters since the light skinned slaves came from the indiscretions of the slave masters.
The other benefit was it made it easy to recognize and therefore differentiate between the house and field slaves both for the masters and the slaves to see. Since the house slaves were treated much, much, better, ate better, and were placed in a position of authority over the darker field slaves, resentment developed which kept all the slaves more focused on each other, rather than on the slave master.
What is interesting is this programming actually affected whites as well. Since they already had a superiority complex incorporated into their cultural make up, the inferiority of Blacks was easily adopted.
Since then this mindset has been maintained through slanted media reports which continually focus on negative perceptions of Blacks through reports, pictures concerning crimes (notice: the crimes of white criminals are seldom reported and pictures of them are given even less); the lack of recognition of African-American accomplishments and contributions in the history of this country by the education system (further incorporating the uselessness and laziness of Blacks in the mindsets of White as well as Black Children); commercials, videos and t.v. programs which portray Blacks as flippant, disrespectful, irresponsible, and unable to hold any kind of successful career other than sports, hip-hop and rap music, and drug dealing.
This is only a brief outline but you get the point. All this being said, I am hopeful that with Obama a change is coming. I believe enough Americans have realized something is wrong and a change is needed.
I am just hoping that enough White Americans are willing to hear and see what has been happening. It's time for them to forgive themselves and for Blacks to embrace them and work together... BUT this can only happen if White America first SEES and RECOGNIZES all the factors that were and are set into place. That is the only way they can be successfully and permanently removed.
One Love,
John
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Thanks for the history lesson. haha. Of course I knew all this including that even today (in many other cultures as well as African American) this sort of hierarchy with skin color is unfortunately still alive and so is racism. I was addressing the later time of an African American that isn't using the fact that she is light skinned but rather, is pretending to be white. The time of the novel was during the time of segregation after slaves were set free. Thanks for your well detailed commentary. :-) I greatly appreciate it.
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this is a great poem alone she will lie because she never knew that black and white is simply light and its absence and her ivory skin is simply lighter than brown .good luck inthe contest and thank you for sharing this with the group
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There are several novels including "I Passed For White"
and I guess it was one way to survive. There is even a class division among African Americans themselves. I have a friend who says she is considered "high tone yellow" and she is the color of light honey. Many are jealous I guess. My mother in law was almost black and yet her dad was very light skinned .. they are Puerto Rican. My husband is light. It's a shame that color casting goes on even today. I thought James Baldwin had written about this aspect of society but perhaps not. Personally I wish I could pass for tan, but being Scottish I can only pass for freckled. -
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Thanks for your feedback, yes, my boyfriend actually has very light colored skin yet he is African American. I myself am light skinned with hazel eyes and am Latin American. It's funny how you can get hit from different angles when you can be mocked by your own people for being too white and by others for not being 'white enough.' It doesn't really matter to me anymore, but I guess it did hurt having to go through that as a kid.
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I am familiar with Nella Larson and her name is not even mentioned often and so few have had the pleasure of her work as company, I am glad you did. This story is also similar to, "Imitation of Life", a poignant, dramatic and tragic story. I enjoyed the issues raised and the questions pondered in this write. So many deny the beauty of their soul and their mothers because they are afraid of it, I believe. Thanx for the sensitive and honest write, conni
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thank you! I'm glad you liked it
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there is so much meaning here, color of skin has always been a fact but then made a factor in life, all to the detriment of the human race; India, Africa colonialism used it, slavery and race in the Americas, within Europe and versus Asia on and on...so much loss and destruction and the attitudes persist to flavor our world today... well done poet to pick such a piercing arrow...very well written, wonderful depth of thought...PK
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thank you! I'll look up "Imitation of Life" Thanks for the referrence.
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