Questions for Ada

by Ijeoma Umebinyuo

For black girls who have to pretend to be strong

yet go home breaking down in the middle of the night, trying to breathe. Trying to breathe. For black girls battling depression. For those who feel so alone in a world telling them this is for whites alone. Please, live. For black girls who are imperfect, insecure and trying to fit into a world that stifles their voice. For black girls still learning to glow. For black girls trying to fit into a world so afraid of their beauty they sell them creams to lighten their skin. For their black skin. For black girls who smile when they see themselves represented. Live. Live. Live. Live.

I needed myself and I found her.