contents - Gallatin School of Individualized Study - New York ...

ashanti robinsonEncourage YourselfEncourage yourself to riseAbove it allMake sure you stand up tallLook at the color of your skin,Oh, yes, yes, you are a beautiful black queen.The next time he puts his hands on youStand up tall and look him in the faceAnd say oh no,I was not born with this birthmark on my faceI was not born with one finger.He tried to make me over in his own imageI lost myself, my prideBut I did not lose my mindI know God made meI’m one of his childrenAnd still I rise.My father, thank you for making me this beautiful black queenI will not let him put his hands back on me.Finding Encouragement105ashanti robinsonAshanti Robinson, 30 years old and born in Belize, has lived in New York sinceshe was six. “I have been writing poems since I was eight. I like to write poemsthat reflect everyday living and tell my innermost thoughts and feelings.”Ashanti Robinson studies at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Central LearningCenter. Winsome Pryce-Cortes is the site manager, Susan Knott is the literacyadvisor, and “My tutor Marge Poyatt was most helpful.”