A Woman of Color

Summer 2004

By Shwayla James and Heidi Tolentino

I am a woman of color.

I am a woman of color.

I am the rich color of rice paper, swirling taupe, yellow and cream.

I am caramel colored latte with a drop of Hershey's special dark chocolate.

The slant of my almond eyes denotes honor.

The deep brown specks in mine line the Nile River.

My highlighted curls defy the tradition of straight, long and black.

Remnants of pin curls, hot pressing combs, and rag tag scarves proudly lie
on each strand of my head.

I am proud to be half Barbie's height, twice her weight, and capable
of kickin' her butt.

I got your back, girl!

Don't call me Chinese, call me Asian, or call me nothing at all.

African-American -- a name I grew to love, and I now embrace.

I am from generations of proud Samurai and religious European peasants.

I am from slaves who were whipped and beaten, but who left
a strong-willed people.

I am a bamboo cane that bends, but will not break.

I am sugar cane, whose ancestors knew bamboo canes on their backs,
who have defied the odds.

The native tongue of my family is not one to be mocked or imitated, but whispered quietly, poetically.

The rhythms of Ebonics call and answer when chosen in the right company.

Sushi glistens, the work of my tireless fanning, my job,
and my heritage.

The scraps given to my people by their master which have become a specialty, made with seasoned soul.

Raised by two parents, four grandparents, and eight great-grandparents, generations of people pleasers.

Daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter, who's been passed the torch of our Matriarch.

I am not yet a mother.

I am a single mother who is not a statistic; I am focused, determined,
and a homeowner, too!

No, I'm not a genius, I can't do math and I drive faster than you do. Don't box me in!

Are you surprised I can read, write, and spell, too? I'm educated and have never been in a jail with jumpsuit blues. Don't box me in.

I am a loud-talkin', gum-snappin', name-callin', in your face kind
of Asian woman.

I am a soft-spoken, leg-crossin', passive don't mess with me Black woman.

We are women of color.

We are powerful, strong, and whole.

Summer 2004