Colored

This poem has been circulating in text messages for quite a while. It is supposed to be written by an African kid and nominated for Best Poem of 2005 by supposedly a literary award-giving body. What fascinates me the most with this poem is its satiric take on racism, funny yet poignant. The use of words, the so called poetic justice, makes it innocently provocative, a little bit naive, and generally simple. No more underlying meanings or social innuendos, just a social commentary on the world at large. This is the kid writing, so definitely, he/she kicks ass.

When I born,
I black.
When I grow up,
I black.
When I go in the sun,
I black.
When I cold,
I black.
When I scared,
I black.
When I sick,
I black.
And when I die,
I still black.

And you white fella,
When you born,
You pink.
When you grow up,
You white.
When you go in the sun,
You red.
When you cold,
You blue.
When you scared,
You yellow.
When you die,
You grey.
And YOU calling me COLORED?!!!!

Huh. Take that.