In order to celebrate the voices of young local students during Black History Month, Local 4 is working with InsideOut Literary Arts, an organization that helps Detroit’s youth build their literary and academic skills through creative writing.
Below you can read some of the poems written by these local students of various ages in honor of Black History. We’re publishing more throughout the month, so make sure to read them all.
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This Is Me
By Kamarin (InsideOut High School Student)
This is me
the brown girl you see.
This is me
the girl with the brown hair and eyes
like the bark on a tree.
This is me
the girl wearing the glasses
who can’t really see.
This is me
the short, chubby girl
who likes to eat.
This is me
the girl with the weird laugh
who thinks it’s very unique.
This is me
the girl who doesn’t want
to be anything but me.
Beautiful Black Queens I
By Destiney (InsideOut High School Student)
Beautiful Black Queens
who are always judged
but can go unseen
my beautiful ebony skin
misunderstood? yes!
harmful? no!
my personality blossoms
like a dahlia flower
my skin stops you
from getting to know me
am I Black? yes!
am I a Queen? Yes!
I am a Beautiful Black Queen
Black Girl Alternative
By Sharee (InsideOut High School Student)
Girls today, but women of
tomorrow
Full of ambition,
in a world of hatred
and sorrow
So stereotyped, so judged
nothing but false hopes
Tell me how do us
little black women learn to cope?
My Beautiful Black Sister
By Makayla (InsideOut High School Student)
Sister, you’re beyond beauty itself.
Your chocolate-brown skin,
black almond eyes,
your short black hair.
You’ve chopped it off, kinks and curls
swirl onto the floor.
Sister, you’re my keeper.
You’ve had my back
again and again and over again.
I’ve cried on your shoulder when the world ended.
You made me your world,
held me in your arms,
serenaded me with love and charm.
Sister, dearest, can’t you see?
You just mean the entire world to me.
I’ll tell you now and maybe later
how much I love you, my sister.
Queen
By Aiyane (InsideOut High School Student)
My hair isn’t just an expression
of myself, it’s about black culture.
Black hair isn’t all about style,
I’ve had an afro
since I was a child.
The pros on ‘fros show pride
and empowerment. Our crown
won’t fall, it’ll grow
and stand tall. Braids helped
us through slavery,
making maps and hiding food.
Don’t take us for a fool.
Our hair is a precious tool
nobody can override.
My crown is natural and
complete. I’d never damage it
with chemicals and heat.
A Voice Is Born
Group Poem (InsideOut High School Students)
I am the voice of a strong black girl
I was born the darkness in night sky
I was born a diamond so I could shine
There is no other like me because I am very rare
I was born a unicorn
nice and unique
I was born a planted tree by a loving family waiting to bloom
I was born an autumn leaf, ever-changing and sky-painting
I am floating on the wind, still finding my way toward the ground
I am a rain drop, a natural adventurer
I am the calming breeze you feel right before a storm
I was born a river ‘cause I just go with the flow
I am a fire that likes to show how bright I am
It’s determined but loud, but also can be soft
I was born on the longest day of the year
there is no other like me because there is no other like you
I can teach the value of every moment
I was born to enjoy all things I do well
I’ve learned to use my voice
it took me a long time and I’m still working on it
when I talk, people know I mean business
I’m very quiet but when I’m serious I talk more firmly
people will listen
because it is deep
To read more of these poems, go to our InsideOut page!
About InsideOut
Our Mission: to inspire students to think broadly, create bravely, and share their voices with the wider world.
Since 1995, InsideOut Literary Arts has helped over 65,000 of Detroit’s youth build their literary and academic skills through creative writing.
With initial seed funding from Bob Shaye and the Four Friends Foundation, InsideOut was founded in 1995 by former Detroit Public School teacher Dr. Terry Blackhawk. The name InsideOut was chosen by Dr. Blackhawk’s students.
As Detroit’s largest and oldest literary non-profit, InsideOut now serves more than 100 classrooms and community sites annually. Our professional writers continue to help students experiment with words and learn that each unique voice matters – that there is power in “bringing the inside out.”
Learn more about InsideOut here.