Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Everyday Black Matters

Home
Progressive Christian
Oh, High School, Oh High School: An Ode to a “Sorry Ass Nigga.”

Oh, High School, Oh High School: An Ode to a “Sorry Ass Nigga.”

Last updated on: April 19, 2011 at 1:47 pm by Grace Sandra

Oh, High School, Oh High School: An Ode to a “Sorry Ass Nigga.” 2011-04-19T13:47:37-04:00 Grace Sandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Do you ever go back in time ala journals? I have several which I have advised my husband to promptly take to the backyard and burn upon my death.

As I’ve been tediously working on my memoir, I’ve dusted a few old journals off to peruse for memories and material.

Reading over my high school journals has been a lesson in humility. What drama queens! What sordid affairs! Everything is (like) so important, and every boy is (like) “the one!”

While, it’s been downright embarressing to re-read these -literal- tear-stained pages, I have also had to crack up at myself and the intensity with which every relationship brought.

And here now, in all my high school glory is the sordid tale of a boy who hurt my feelings: set to poetry of course!

(I am hoping the title won’t offend you. You must remember I was in high school. A wee 15 year old searching for a voice, not to mention dying to be popular & cool!

Swearing and using the reclaimed “n” word to talk badly of mean boys was (like) ALL the rage for young African-American girls in my hood).

*As an FYI, as-of-late I choose to NOT use the reclaimed “N” word for general use as I find that my African-American friends from across the US have differing beliefs about the wisdom of blacks retaking such a demeaning word. So, now I only use it with my super-hood, Detroit hoodies in context, in private. Back in high school though? Every. Other. Word.*

(And if your wondering if I would describe myself as a “super-hood Detroit hoodie,” ummm, yeah)!

**And now that I’ve gone into so much more explanation than I intended to, maybe I’ll write another post later about the use of the reclaimed “n” word by African-Americans. And about why I don’t think white people can EVER SAY IT. EVER.

EVER.

Not even if your singing Kanye Wests’ Goldigger. Not even then.

(You know what? I AM going to do a post about this soon)!

Okay, back to my “poetry…”

Sorry Ass Nigga

You “never meant to”

You “didn’t mean me no harm”

You “value me”

You “just thought”…

What makes you think?

Why don’t you think?

You meant it.

You mean harm.

You gave me no value

Now I’m gone

“I’m sorry” this

“I’m sorry” that

You are sorry

You need to think.

Think about what you say.

Who is it

that told you to act on each urge?

You don’t know the ears,

the eyes,

the heart of the one you “meant no harm.”

You don’t know.

You don’t know

what I hear.

“I want(ed) you,

but now I don’t”.

“I didn’t mean it”

“I meant you no harm”

“I just thought”…

“I’m sorry” this,

“I’m sorry” that.

You meant it.

You wanted it.

You felt it.

But you didn’t know

it would harm

Steal value

Steal hope

Steal freedom

Steal hard-fought-for declarations

You meant no harm

But harm is done

Now I’m gone.

Don’t look back.

While you urge

I get value,

hope,

freedom

from someone else.

A worthy man.

A man who thinks.

A man who means no harm,

does no harm.

You are not a man

not a friend.

Not worthy

of me.

Are you sorry?

Prove it

to someone else.

I’m gone.

(Can’t you just see me sitting on my bed, alone in my room, weeping while listening to Brian McKnight’s “One Last Cry,” writing a sad, sappy poem about a mean boy?)

It’s just hilarious.

High school, oh high school you were such a riot,

**And while were on the subject of high school, DON’T FORGET to leave me a comment on this post for a chance to win an autographed CD from either Adele, Taylor Swift, Keri Noble, Jack Johnson or Corine Bailey Rae!

Give me your best guess at who I attended high school with & how many in our graduating class. I’ll select a winner using random.org. So comment away! =)

I'm proud to be black

Previous Post

April 18, 2011

And here I thought I'd done my LAST post of the season with pictures of snow...

Next Post

April 21, 2011 If this aint love, I don't know what is

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Abortion Abuse Survivor African Americans Black Campus Ministries Blogging Books Celebrities Depression Detroit Divorce Dreams entrepreneurialista Family Fashion Fashion & Hair Fashion Finds Fashion Tips Fitness & Body Love For You Girly-Girl Giveaways! Goal Setting Hair Adventures Home Human Trafficking Humor & Fun InterVarsity iphone Apps iphoneography Leadership Marriage Memoir Mentoring Movies Music My Faith My Life My Pregnant Life My Weight Watcher's Journey Netizen One Word Opinion Parenting Photography Policy Politics Pop Culture Product Reviews Race & Ethnicity Racism Ransom Rhys Second Marriage Self Leadership Social Justice Social Media Spiritual Disciplines T.V. Uncategorized Western Theological Seminary What I Wore What I Wore Wednesday Writing Writing Tips

Select a Month May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 December 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 April 2016 March 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 July 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz