in the “identity repairman” thomas sayers ellis narrates the transition from african to african american in 6 quatrains. here r the last 3:
COLORED
I am weary of working
to prove myself equal.
I will use education
to make my children superior.
BLACK
My heart is a fist.
I fix Blackness.
My fist is a heart.
I beat Whiteness.
AFRICAN AMERICAN
Before I was born,
I absorbed struggle.
Just looking
at history hurts.