The Battle Within: A Poem
Double Consciousness and the Black Experience
More and more, I’m cognizant
Of the double consciousness
W.E.B. Du Bois spits
In his book on the Souls of Black folks —
A strange sensation
Of double existence,
experienced by the darker American —
A duality where I’m always conscious
of a two-ness and tension,
a tightness — constricting.
Each identity holding importance —
weight — meaning —
expecting resignation
from the double-sided nature
of blackness — one way or another.
No wonder why so many of my
Black sisters and brothers
Get lost within the struggle.
Dual identities lead to the downfall of many
in the Black community
That chose whiteness over African ancestry.
Though I think most times, what they really decide
is life and safety, subservience and worth,
through goodness and favor and hard work.
A good nigga might outlive the one who has a voice.
