LOVE OF LITERATURE AND HISTORY
Written by C Hues
February 26, 2023
Even though they said cowgirls didn’t look like you, Your spirit never broke; you bucked on through. They said you must not have the cash; you never paid your due. They lied that black wasn’t part of the red, white, and blue. But you put on that hat, and you rode and rode. Their bullshit was priceless, but it never sold. They called you out your name—now they’re calling you gold. And let it be known that blackness is every cowgirl’s ode.
Written by C Hues
February 23, 2023
Black man, you are strong. Your adversary thinks you’re weak. But they don’t know you sing our song And quiet’s not the same as meek. Black man, you’ve built this land. You fought and died and won. But coming back you understand That your reward is none. Black man, you are loved. To know this, you must love your life. You’ve been tortured, lynched, and shoved— Yet still you conquer all that is strife. Black woman, you’ve felt endless pain. The masters raped you and loved their power. But your suffering was not in vain Because your spirit did not dour. Black woman, you created peace And paved the way for brilliant minds. You fight, you march, you never cease Because you are our history that binds. Black woman you are always here. You spoke the truth and took your space. You are every racist’s fear Because you’re proof there is no race.
Written by C Hues
February 22, 2023
We picked up the pen and put down the narrative, Letting ourselves become who we always were. Despite the world telling us that it was imperative That blackness in film be shown as a blur. The power we hold was realized from within, We saw a King like us reign onscreen. From the invisible world of Wakanda—Miles from Brooklyn, These colorful characters make us feel seen.
Written by C Hues
February 21, 2023
It is impossible to silence a visionary because visions are passed down like DNA through the generations. But instead of dwindling, the vision expands. The traits don’t decrease, and they aren’t recessive. They are expressive, colorful, and most importantly, they are alive. The dreamer is the dream, and the dream is the dreamer, The dream is mercy, and the dreamer is merciful, The dream is forgiveness, and the dreamer has forgiven. The artist is the art, and the art is the artist. We are those who came before, we are U.S., and we are those who will come. We are black and we are the American Dream.
Written by C Hues
February 13, 2023
There is no black face. There is no black race. There is no black skin. There are only black kin. Black is not a color To paint your room—teenage angst fulfilled. Black is a construct that unifies the oppressed, That fortifies our resolve and strengthens our will. Black was a mark To curse us like Cain. But we made Black a blessing; Birthed joy from the pain. Blacks are the ancestors and descendants of everyone. Blacks are the heroes unsung. Blacks sing the anthem of freedom To understand how far we have, yet how far we’ve come.