I’m from hot climates, no liquid, being raped, execution style from slaves to the white mans trade just to reproduce a style of mixed races and no names, no faces. The land of pure Shea.

I’m from villages to projects,shacks to pissy hallways,hot to cold air, tribal dances to amusement parks from the promise land to mermaid ave.

I’m from the organic roots of a strong segregated tree, that African tree as hopeful as can be.
I’m from family gatherings to separations, thick hair to curves everywhere.

I’m from the loving,laughs,full belly’s. From hearing Teena Marie, the Temptations, Freddy Jackson and singing “Keep rising to the top” with my grandma.

From “Listen to your mother” and how I became part Jew.
I’m from God and to also Buddhas and Gurus to OM Shanti.

I’m from whites and Caribbeans, and the promise land of Ethiopia. From lama bean soup, collard greens, oxtail, and now vegetarian foods.

From the story of Majellerine Cohen and the history or her hair, the history of her paleness, the rape her parents endured, how close slavery is to me, where she gets her long hair, where she gets her last name. How close we really are, spite my BLACKNESS we are not that far apart.
I’m from pictures hanging on the piano my young aunt used to play,from the hole in the carpet because I burned it, I’m from raisin bagels with my grandpa, I’m from the bike rides and barbie dolls, old school music, books, PBS, and black pride.

I am from secrets kept in roots and poetry words deep with in my letters to express my secrets.

Isoke Stewart
Age 16, Grade 12,
James Baldwin School
Gold Key