Nappy and Happy And Not Harried

I have never been 'black'.
Not midnight black.
Or even shown that,
At the crack of dawn.

I know that for a fact.
I would get up early to look.

And when I became African-American...
What happened to the West Indian part of me?
All I know is this,
Someone made an announcement...
And that part of my heritage,
Became a subdivision.
Like an urbanite separated...
From the others who surrounded,
In neighborhoods of suburban glee.

And when I wished to take all of that back,
To proclaim, in fact, I am indeed black...
It seems those who were lighter than I,
Wanted me to prove my loyalty too.
As if they had to approve...
My manner of speech,
And other things I chose to do.

I think they were trying to confuse me.
As confused as some of them appeared to be.

Sometimes when I did then reminisce,
The days of my youth I admit I missed...
I remember just being a 'Negro'.
And not have a concern...
On whose list I did not fit.
I was just 'Larry'...
Nappy and happy and not harried!

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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