The Book of American Negro Poetry/Is It Because I Am Black?
IS IT BECAUSE I AM BLACK?
Why do men smile when I speak,
And call my speech
The whimperings of a babe
That cries but knows not what it wants?
Is it because I am black?
And call my speech
The whimperings of a babe
That cries but knows not what it wants?
Is it because I am black?
Why do men sneer when I arise
And stand in their councils,
And look them eye to eye.
And speak their tongue?
Is it because I am black?
And stand in their councils,
And look them eye to eye.
And speak their tongue?
Is it because I am black?