Treat Me As An Equal

I may have brown skin,

It does not mean I am as dirty as mud,

I may have brown skin,

It does not mean I cannot be loved.

I may have darker skin than yours,

It does not mean you can degrade me,

I may have darker skin than yours,

Just let me be free.

Call me ugly and stupid,

But my dreams will not be crushed,

Think of me as someone unworthy of happiness,

But I will not break, I will not stay hushed.

No more putting me down,

Because I promise you I am worthy,

worthy of everything on this land,

I am not begging for mercy.

Instead, I am taking a stand and telling those who underestimate me,

I am smart, strong, lovely, and yes, I am beautiful,

I only want a just and equal world,

I don't need anybody's pathetic approval.