I attended the Poetry Cafe on February 11th, as a part of Black History Month and African Heritage Week with the Multicultural Affairs Office. Poetry Cafe is exactly what the description says, “an interactive open mic.” Artists of all kind performed, poetry, songs, etc. This is my second time attending Poetry Cafe at HPU, and I regularly attend the College Night Open Mic, which is hosted by the same group of people as Poetry Cafe. What I love so much about the Poetry Cafe is the vibe of the room and the installation of Black culture within the event. The hosts sing songs that are known in the Black community, which causes the crowd to sing along, and they talk back. No matter how many or few people attend an event like the Poetry Cafe, it is still very intimate. I love listening to poetry, especially poets who compete and utilized the Poetry Cafe as a place to practice. The stage is inviting and a safe place.
I performed at the Poetry Cafe. The poem I decided to read “Black is the Woman,” which is speaking to Black boys and Black men about the protection of the Black woman. The piece dives into the fact that Black women are hurt by Black men, while also being oppressed by white women and men. This poem relates back to the course because it is about the lives and story of Black women and accountability. Black women deserve to be protected and are the most marginalized group in America. This class prompts me to add the “in America” because we have been learning about other cultures and countries, but nonetheless, Black women have stories and literature that should also be discussed and read in classrooms.
I work closely with Douglas McCollum, the man responsible for Poetry Cafe coming to High Point University, in many regards. Naturally, I attend Poetry Cafe as a means of support. But I also attend to receive great energy and have a place to release my emotions and my poems where people (who probably get uncomfortable) have to sit and listen to them and think about it. Events like the Poetry Cafe are fun and great to attend, but I think by having it count as an event for class enhances its ability to be an educational tool in regards to self-love, poetry, different experiences, tough conversations, and Black culture, which are all necessary for the world we’re living in.
Here is my poem (if you’re interested):
Black is the Woman
Dear Black Boy and Black Man,
What does it mean to build a world in which Black women and Black girls are safe?
Black women are the only group of people whose bodies have ever been legally mandated as the place that reproduced noncitizens.
At least 60,000 Black women are missing right now. Your mothers, your daughters, aunts, cousins, nieces, significant others, friends.
The system continues to fail us, but so do OUR men.
In 2014, more than 200 Black school girls were kidnapped, raped, and forcefully impregnated by Black men. #BringBackOurGirls.
In the 2nd decade of the 21st century, 8 Black women a week are murdered by a Black man they know.
yet again, another force meant to protect me is whom I fear.
Any of these things could happen to me JUST because I am a Black woman.
I have to worry about the white man, the white woman, and now, the Black men. My father, brothers, uncles, cousins, nephews, significant others, friends.
Dear Black Boy and Black Man,
I love y’all. Admittedly, sometimes more than I love my fellow Black women. Sometimes.
But, Black men, y’all scare the shit out of me.
And not because of your race.
And not because I’ve been hurt before.
But because you are still man.
And I don’t know what men like you may do to women like me. But I know what you could do.
Toxic Masculinity Kills.
Patriarchy.
Black women are unprotected. Invalid. Too opinionated. Bitches. Attitude givers. Loudmouthed. Too independent. Aggressive. “Nappyheaded.”
But don’t forget these are the same Black women that clothed you, birthed you, loved you, protected you. Stood up for you. Literally dying for you.
Nevermind that Kodak Black was accused of rape. But we still listening. But, he disrespected another Black man’s “woman,” and now he’s cancelled.
Dear Black Boy and Black Man,
I know you’re only a product of your environment.
I know the whole world is against you because of the color of your skin.
I know its hard for you to show emotion because the world doesn’t see you as anything other than a monster.
But I hope you know, this Black woman here is a product of her environment, battling the world for her skin and her gender. I can’t show emotion either.
I’m not saying Black women have it harder than Black men. But if you wanna argue, I’m down.
I’m saying, Black women deserve better. We deserve protection. Loyalty. Safety.
We deserve the same love, joy, and patience we give y’all.
Dear Black Boys and Black Men,
What does it mean to build a world in which Black women and Black girls are safe?
I’m only asking you because y’all have the power to hold us down. Or hold us back.
Kayla Quick Women Writing Worldwide 