A tribute to heritage and hope, this poem gives voice to the unbreakable spirit of the African American journey. Through vivid imagery, it weaves together themes of struggle and triumph, ancestry and identity, pride and perseverance. It honors the legacies of those who paved the way, celebrates the richness of Black culture and stands as a timeless affirmation of strength, self-worth and the enduring pursuit of justice.
The moment carried even greater weight in the wake of the state-ordered removal of the Black History Matters street mural—not once, but twice—by Florida Department of Transportation crews in late August. The action, which was part of a statewide initiative to eliminate all non-standard street art, erased five beloved murals that once brightened the city streets of St. Pete.
I AM BLACK HISTORY
I am the legacy that my ancestors dreamed about.
The dream that we could live in a world
of freedom, without worry or doubt.
Now, I can walk with my head held high because
of those who walked before me.
They endured so much hurt and pain
so that my eyes can see the glory.
The same glory that Dr. King saw when
he dreamed of the mountaintop.
The same glory that Ms. Parks felt as
she sat firmly at every stop.
Although we are not entirely free, at least not yet.
The dedication of my ancestors I will never forget.
From the march on Washington and the civil rights war.
To all my brothers and sisters who fought
until they couldn’t fight no more.
From Mike Brown to George Floyd and
I can’t forget about Breonna Taylor.
To every life that we lost too soon—
whose case didn’t go in their favor.
Black History is more than one month
that we celebrate pioneers from long ago.
Black history is our lifeline, it’s the main character of the show.
If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.
Our history is not just anything,
it’s the very thing we’ve been imagining.
A world that is free from hatred, dissension and disloyalty.
This is what I am fighting for. This is what the world can be.
You see I have a duty to fulfill what my ancestors hoped to see.
The duty falls on no one else because I AM BLACK HISTORY.
