I am a black man
I have a bad attitude
I am arrogant
I think the world owes me a living

I am a black man
I am a womanizer
I have bad credit
I have loved, been loved 
and had love not be enough

I am a black man
I have 
Lied
Cheated
Scratched
Fought
Hustled 
To get to even the slightest edge on others

I am a black man
I am a criminal
A ne’er do good
Someone wasting my talent and opportunity

I am a black man
Fate put me in this little corner of hell
My own idiosyncrasies and hang-ups
have kept me here longer that I need to be

I am a black man
I am strong
Strong
Stronger than any other species
on the face of this earth because I know 
I know who I am
I know what I am
I know what others expect of me
I know what I expect of myself

I am a black man
The latest in a long line of people
blessed with unmatched physical talent
and untapped mental acumen
I am a black man
Strong
Stronger 
Proud
Unbowed
Respect me as such