I had to decide what kind of person I was going to be. How was I going to spend whatever time I have left in this life? Whether it was a minute or by some stroke of luck, another five decades. I had to make a decision regarding the person I wanted to see when I looked in the mirror. I don’t know if I set anything in stone or even write on the pavement in chalk regarding a decision.

For the years that mattered I lived in a house with a mother and father. My grandmother and my grandfather were my parents. I watched everything my grandmother did and I learned from her. What I feel now for her is anger and sadness. Why did you teach me all of these things I’ll never be able to use? I know how to cook. I know how to clean. I know how to listen. I know how to love. None of these skills mean anything in my world. In her world they meant more than money, well almost more than money. In my world? It matters more if I’m skinny. If I have a title. A “good job.” And good credit. I don’t have any of that. All I have is love. That doesn’t mean anything if you’re Black.

Testimony against thy Mother- Poem by Adeyinka Adiatu

We born to die… Live…to die… Sweat…to die… Shed each other’s blood To one day die ourselves

The symbol of the mind trapped within the body An exoskeleton a shell continuously applying force Onto the inner sanctum the sinners mind Trapped not only within the confines of the body But in the grander scale trapped by restraints of the world