Black Folk Don’t Do Therapy
One of my goals this year is to dive into black poetry and literature at a whole ‘nother level. Doing so has helped me in healing, as well as being able to aide me in one of my current book projects: writing a 300 page poetry book.
As with any particular group of people, you can’t assume that what works for one, works for all. As a whole, there is a stigma behind black people doing therapy. This poem deals with that stigma, and hopefully will get some of us to open up at a deeper level. Due to blacks having to suppress their emotions way back from slavery times, it is both difficult, and deemed as unsafe for them to show their emotions in front of others.
The reality of the situation is that when blacks show emotions, particularly that of anger, we are labeled as the angry black man or woman, having a higher chance of the police being called. What is natural for others is a luxury when it comes to black people, and demonstrating emotions goes along with that.
I hope that this poem gives you some food for thought. I would love to start a discussion down below on your experience growing with emotions, and how it was handled. Be blessed!
Black Folk Don’t Do Therapy
Black folk don’t do therapy
We pray and we cry
Yep we cry in private
But in public our tears run dry.
Black folk don’t do therapy
We’re strong as a people
We just slay in the Spirit
Till our Prayers hit the steeple
Black folk don’t do therapy
We just hope and we pray
That our unhealed
Brokenness
Will up and leave us some day
Black folk don’t do therapy
‘Cause we think it’s a sin
If we bring down from
bondage
Generations had to win
Black folk must do therapy
‘Cause then we can negate
Ev’ry game that’s been
Played
‘Gainst the enemy
Called hate.
Black folk must do therapy
Till we break all devices
That’s been sewn
Into seeds.
Then planted
With preciseness
Black folk must do therapy
So our kids
Will one day see
That our growth,
Faith, and healing
Was a bicycle
Made For me.