Sister Abdicate

My sister, let’s talk awhile,

Rehash how we came to be here.

Talk about how

We abdicated our roles as the pillars of men,

Not men, or just men

But the construct of humanity we are charged with.

Let’s talk about how as the mothers of sons

We raise our boys to fear and subjugate

Because we indoctrinate a hate for their man-ness,

All the while teaching our daughters

Pum pum politics and to know only

The trading of flesh favors as currency.

Let’s talk about our right to moral bankruptcy

And the privilege of self service.

But who are we serving really?

When the new overlords speak mandarin

And the overseers no longer are light skinned

But oh, how we want to be.

Light skinned Nefateri knockoffs

Mourning our dark chocolate, tight curled wonder

For the satisfaction of those who? Really?

My sister are you happy?

While we let asshats in ascots

Plot the chart our children follow?

Blindly into uncertain waters

Already chummed with the remnants of our dignity?

My sister, what are we?

My sister, from whence do we come?

My sister, are you still content to strike this path?

To abandon yet again the hope we birthed ?

My sister let’s talk awhile

Of remunerating our people, with our preeminence.

©Michelle Toussaint, all rights reserved.