I
Am a slave

I am segregated against,
Argued against,
Fought against

I
Am a slave

I am criticized,
Brutalized,
Wrongly utilized

But momma dun said,
You don’t take no stuff

Old Mr. Lee,
Down by the mill,
He ain’t better than me,
Stronger is my will

My skin is my own,
Dark brown chocolate,
His skin is cold,
Harsh as a white snowy blizzard

I am NOT
A slave

Not to be owned,
Or to be sold,
But to have grown

I am NOT
A slave

Not to be demeaned,
Or to be deceived,
But to exist in peace

Walkin’ down the street,
I heard ‘em say,
“There goes that slave girl,”
I turned and told ‘em,

“Momma dun said,
Don’t take no stuff,
And I
Don’t take no stuff.”

I
Am free.