A poem by Rechanne Waddell
Little Black and Beautiful
Watching and awaiting a technicolor dream
Awaiting the day when she too could be seen
Falling in love with timeless heroes
Heroes that never looked like herself
She brushed the idea of seeing a heroic black female away
But something deep inside
Kept that bubbling desire alive
Little did she know her longings would be met
Families, loved ones, brothers, and sisters filling each red row
Embracing their African heritage, fueling their desire
How important this moment in history means
To have all represented sincerely on the big screen
This moment
This day
She will seize
Because within you she sees
Black and Beautiful
Black is Beautiful
Wakanda Woman Naturally
Naturally
That is she.
Darkness surrounds
But bright beauties grace the screen
Black women being portrayed as protectors and providers
Not dimming their light for fear of being brighter
Not fighting one another
Using love to fight for another
Not wearing something just to be seen
Letting their stride and pride speak for itself
With all the confidence of a princess, a warrior, a queen
Strong and proud
Proud to be what they are
Proud to show where they have come
Strong on their own
Stronger together
They are proud to be a sister
Proud to help a brother
Because within you she sees
Black and Beautiful
Black is Beautiful
Wakanda Woman naturally
Naturally
That is she.
Light abounds
But negativity tries to creep in
Seep within to destroy the dream
In ways that her sweet mind could never scheme
Not brave, not smart
Women are only pretty, made to break hearts
Not caring, not strong,
Black women are only angry, only to be frowned upon
Not serious, just fluff
Because black film is not good enough
But enough is enough
Remembering
The phenomenal women who sang out loud
The mountain top dreamer that changed hearts
For all to live, for all to dream, for all to have a chance to start
Past sisters and brothers
Striving for this day
This amazing moment
Where he could see
And she could see too
Because within you she sees
Black and Beautiful
Black is Beautiful
Wakanda Woman naturally
Naturally
That is she.
Little Black and Beautiful
Watching you over and over again
Watching the princess, the warriors, the queen
Falling in love with the timeless heroes that graced the screen
Seeing herself in you
Fueling that bubbling desire
Embracing her African heritage
Embracing the beauty within herself
How important this truly means
To have black beauties represented sincerely on the screen
That moment
That day
She will forever seize
Because within you she sees
Black and Beautiful
Black is Beautiful
Wakanda Woman Naturally
Naturally
That is she.
Naturally
That is me.
