Black Woman

You look at me like I'm unfamiliar

Like I'm brand new

Like you never knew that you liked them thick

Mmm, I've been carrying this weight

In a world beneath these braids

And I'm confused

Would you take the pain that came

With all the parts you wanna claim for you?

You want my thighs

You want my stride

But not this melanin

You want my hair

But you don't care

For this complexion

I'm a black woman

I'm a black woman

Cornbread fed

Sweat tea sippin'

Nubian Queen with the skin that glistens

I'm a black woman

Sixteen sittin' on the cold floor

In the corner after school

Recovering from your cover up

When you told me I wasn't right for you

It wasn't hard to believe

'Cause when I watch TV

I would never see a leading lady look like me

Familiar package with less pigment

I ain't ignorant, it's just reality

You want my thighs

You want my stride

But not this melanin

You want my hair

But you don't care

For this complexion

I'm a black woman

I'm a black woman

Cornbread fed

Sweet tea sippin'

Nubian Queen with the skin that glistens

I'm a black woman

The world tells me there is space for me

If I cinch it up and I soak it in

The world tells me it'll all be mine

With some lashes on and some lighter eyes

The world tells me it'll work for me

If I let 'em do a little surgery

The world tells me it'll change for me

With some longer nails and some lightening cream

But I'm a black woman

(Won't lose myself to prove myself)

'Cause I'm a black woman

(We've come too far to hide these scars)

'Cause I'm a black woman

'Cause I'm a black woman