17/12/2025
I Am An African Child by Charlvia Unique Johnson
I am an African Child;
A one who has to strive to become successful.
People say there’s beauty in diversity but where’s the beauty when I’m not part of it?
I am an African child;
A one who’s multi talented but has to sell to have a daily bread;
A one who goes to school with a broken system and unsafe environment; denying us the rights to get quality education.
I am an African child ;
A one who lives in a family of
“I’m right and you’re wrong “ all because you’re small.
A child that is afraid to speak up because our families makes it a culture for us.
This is what we’re taught❗️
I am an African child ;
A one who skin glitters yet looks like charcoal; a one who skin speaks hurt and emotions are taken for granted.
And this is a cycle, for our parents were brought up the same way.
I am an African child; a one that gets married to a grown up because of culture.
A one who gets hate by our families when we refuse; a one who is used as a tool of survival.
I am an African Child; a one that’s neglected at an early stage and people wonder why our self-esteem has been damaged?
Why we look up to white children and see them as gods?
We want what they have ❗️
We yearn for good education , and not one where we pay for grades; not one where we have to give our bodies.
I am an African child ; a one who goes through depression without knowing what it is , yet we survive everyday!
I am an African child and I’m proud❗️
For we have not been given things on silver platter , which fuels and push us to soar higher.
We’re strong❗️
Yes! We’re survivors ❗️
And this story , this story is ours and this is not where it stops!
For we will soar high and break the norms!
We won’t dim our lights for we are diamonds!
This skin , intriguingly beautiful with a story to tell.
I am an African child with a God that’s bigger!
Unique C. Johnson
Liberian poet
