Love the Skin You Are In

i do not like this skin im in

i get called names as if its a sin

to have this darker coloured skin

at school you laugh and call me names

that really hurts and leaves me feeling ashamed

don't you know that under our skins we are all the same?

my mum found me scrubbing with lemon juice

to lighten my skin , to fit in with you

to be the colour you want me to be

to be accepted and treated nicely

why cant you accept me for who i am?

why does colour matter? i don't understand

our bodies are the same no matter what colour

why cant we all just get along with each other?

why judge someone by what you see?

just because i am of different race

does not mean i am your enemy

i deserve to belong here too, i have a place

this world is not defined by our skin

its defined by who we are within

the world needs love not hate and shame

there's too much discrimination, too much blame

you could still try to like me

even though my colour isn't the same.

my mum told me to not lighten my skin

to love me for me

the beautiful girl she sees

not try to fit in

or be like anyone else

for i am strong i am loved

that i must love myself.