International Women's Day

Black Woman

By Rosaline Virginia Bundeh

A black woman is told:

your smile is dazzling and elegant but it’s too much

your laughter is stunning, but it draws attention and it’s too much

you are hard-working, you bleed your palms and bruise your knees, but it’s not enough

I notice you have two hands that bind softly but you act like they are on cuffs

you are beautiful, your skin glitters but it’s still rough

you are black, you are cultured but you are not black enough

being a black woman is tough


To a black woman, they say:

you talk boldly, you’re defensive but it’s too loud

you work tirelessly but you always frown

Some say: don’t look up, look down

others say: don’t look down, look up, don’t act like a clown

don’t stare, it’s rude, don’t look down it's dumb

you are too ambitious; you’re always chasing something like a crazy cat

you’re this! You’re that!


To a black woman, some say:

your stretch marks resemble the back of a tree and it’s not pretty

your curves are unique but your thighs are too thick

your thighs draw attention. They are too flabby

they define saggy breast as being slutty

they will say; you’re too humble, you’re too rude, you’re too fast, you’re too slow

society will always complain and want black women to act like a supernatural being

when they are treating her like a worthless thing


As a black woman

my elders will hurt me, but I dare not speak

men will touch my hips, and squeeze my thighs, force themselves on me and smile 

It’s our culture to be respectful even when they are breaking our bones 

or bruising our thighs or painting our faces black and red with a slap

men will rape you, but it’s not new, its most of my sister’s stories, 

they say: I am not that beautiful but I am always complaining 

I am an attention seeker, so I should stop whining.


Being a black woman is like being against the world

It’s like you carrying mother earth and fighting with the sun and moon

they will expect us to speak after cutting our tongue

society will say ooh no! It’s a girl

and they will shake their heads in disappointment 

even if we mop the ocean, they will still point out the tiny drops and say we are lazy or call us an embarrassment

they will send us in the dark, pluck out our eyes and say stop acting blind


We are Champions

Our skin is rich, fresh, dark, and soft, it glitters

Our greatness is about embracing our true selves regardless of the pains or heartaches

I’m a black woman with flaws but I’m me and I’m unique

 I’m a pearl

You are a black woman, you are tough, you are priceless, you are rare, you are worth a king’s ransom, you are valuable 

Being black is POWERFUL.


Rosaline Virginia Bundeh is a writer and public health practitioner currently residing in Freetown. She finds beauty in words and enjoys the trials of life. You can follow her on twitter at @RBundeh.