Lord, Lord,
Why did You make me Black?
Why did You make me someone
The world wants to hold back?
Black is the color of dirty clothes;
The color of grimy hands and feet.
Black is the color of darkness;
The color of tire-beaten streets.
Why did you give me thick lips,
A broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did You make me someone
Who receives the hatred stare?
Black is the color of a bruised eye
When somebody gets hurt.
Black is the color of darkness.
Black is the color of dirt.
How come my bone structure’s so thick;
my hips and cheeks are high?
How come my eyes are brown
and not the color of the daylight sky?
Why do people think I’m useless?
How come I feel so used?
Why do some people see my skin and think I should be abused?
Lord, I just don’t understand;
What is it about my skin?
Why do some people want to hate me
And not know the person within?
Black is what people are “listed”,
When others want to keep them away.
Black is the color of shadows cast.
Black is the end of the day.
Lord, You know, my own people mistreat me;
And I know this just isn’t right.
They don’t like my hair or the way I look
They say I’m too dark or too light.
Lord, Don’t You think it’s time
For You to make a change?
Why don’t You re-do creation
And make everyone the same?
(God answered)
Why did I make you black?
Why did I make you black?
Get off your knees and look around.
Tell Me, what do you see?
I didn’t make you in the image of darkness.
I made you in the Likeness of ME!
I made you the color of coal
From which beautiful diamonds are formed.
I made you the color of oil,
The black-gold that keeps people warm.
I made you from the rich, dark earth
That can grow the food you need.
Your color’s the same as the panther’s
Known for (HER) beauty and speed.
Your color’s the same as the Black stallion,
A majestic animal is he.
I didn’t make you in the Image of darkness
I made you in the Likeness of Me!
All the colors of a Heavenly Rainbow
Can be found throughout every nation;
And when all those colors were blended well,
YOU BECAME MY GREATEST CREATION.
Your hair is the texture of lamb’s wool
Such a humble, little creature is he.
I am the Shepherd who watches them.
I am the One who will watch over thee.
You are the color of midnight-sky,
I put the stars’ glitter in your eyes.
There’s a smile hidden behind your pain
That’s the reason your cheeks are high.
You are the color of dark clouds formed
when I send My strongest weather.
I made your lips full so when you kiss
the one you love they will remember.
Your stature is strong; your bone structure, thick
to withstand the burdens of time.
The reflection you see in the mirror…
The Image looking back at you is MINE!
-by RuNett Nia Ebo
Meet Poet Ebo: Presenting RuNett Nia Ebo. Some of her fellow poets call her one of the most bootlegged poet in the USA!
RuNett Nia Ebo, also known as Poet Ebo is a local resident of NW Philadelphia and married to William Gray. She has been writing since age 10 (which means over 5 decades). She has self-published 7 chapbooks, 2 books of poetry, one CD and one fiction story, All For You. Her most recognized poem, “Lord, Why Did You Make Me Black?” © 1994, is also her contribution to Chicken Soup for the African-American Soul © 2004. Recently, she collaborated with eight other senior poets to write the anthology, “Seniors Rockin’ The Pen © 2014.
In 1998, along with her brother, Darien and the late musician, Keno Speller, she established Nia’s Purpose: Poetry and Percussion @ Work. The trio used this vehicle to visit schools and community centers to share poetry, percussion and Black History with audiences of all ages.
She can add playwright to her list of accomplishments since a play she wrote based on her signature poem was recently performed by the Fresh Visions Youth Theatre Group.
In addition to other awards received over the years, she was recently presented with The 2014 Philadelphia Black Poetry Honors for over 20 years of Poetic Excellence by Poetic Ventures and The Black Authors Tour (May) and was given the Golden Mic Award by World Renowned Entertainment (June).
Poet Ebo also created POET-IFY: Poetry to Edify (2006), a poetry venue she co-hosts bi-monthly from Feb. to Oct. with her Partner In Rhyme, Victoria Peurifoy. They are currently working on a poetry book together.
