They Thought I Was Black Poem by Boitumelo Oliphant

They thought I was Black
They thought Intellectual inadequacy and my fitness for enslavement is what characterises me,
They thought their greed will widespread the defilement of my model for social harmony,
They thought removing my name from the national agenda will broaden my lack,
They thought an urgency to address this terrible sin of slavery could not be realised,
And they portrayed my personage as morally benighted and culturally backward.
Though they thought I was black! @# I am still…
I find my roots in the torso of Bantustan, my father, my lineage.
I am defined by the demigods of my origin, bo Marcus Moziah Garvey,
My pride tiles around the boffins of my establishment, bo David walker, the black prophets of time
My dream makers realise solace as I live their makings, bo Madiba Mandela and Maria Stewart
I am what I am for humanity’s sake… if what I am was not, then humanity would have failed
They thought I was Black, yes! I am black