I’ve recently realized, and it’s kind of scary
but I am a demographic that is necessary
I am from a class that’s often just a face in the crowd
But my presence means something
and I’m shouting it out loud
I put myself through trade school and I worked very hard
God dealt me this hand, so I’m playing these cards
I’ve had the highest highs and the lowest lows
I have faced homelessness and financial woes
I had a lot of grief and disappointments to bear
But now, I have a lot of knowledge and wisdom to share
I raised my kids with help from God
I remember the times I worked three jobs
And I did it without complaints because my children needed to see
the necessary demographic that was me
I earned this!
It took a lot of time, and it was as hard as it seems
While taking community college classes, I had university dreams
I don’t know how I did it sometimes in my more than 50 years
I suffered so much pain and I’ve cried so many tears
Many times I wanted to quit when things would get too rough
But I woke up every day and just kept on showing up
I knew there was a way, so I kept on pushing through
and I’m not willing to accept what you think I should amount to
I’m not a man. I’m not white. I wasn’t privileged growing up
I reminisce on all the times I thought I wasn’t enough
Somewhere down the line, I’d been convinced I had no choice
but I learn to use my words and I let them be my voice
I am a very small piece of the population
that must be recognized for what I have contributed
Yet, I’m lacking financial literacy
and the wealth that’s being distributed
The wealth of education, the wealth of healthcare, the wealth of peace of mind
I am continuously searching, but it’s difficult to find
Some would call me old, but I like the word mature
and no matter how uncertain I’ve been in the past, today I am sure
I’m here to represent underprivileged and undeserved
I’m here to represent the overlooked and underserved
I didn’t arrive here with the sole purpose of bearing children or being a wife
My purpose is to encourage people and help edify their lives
I’m not here to accept the policies that have been written to stifle my progress
I’m here to write the policies that pertain to me and when necessary, protest!
I have much more to offer
You see, I am the necessary demographic that will champion a change
I am the necessary demographic that will succeed
I am the necessary demographic that will pave the way for those who will unapologetically follow my lead
I am black. I am a woman. I am a single mother
I’ve been a friend and confidante to many others
Empowered, I am!
I am resilient!
I bounce back like a basketball thrown against a gym wall
I am magnificent!
I will not dim.
I am a diamond in the rough, soon to be a most precious gem.
I don’t mean to cause trouble or wreak havoc.
I just want to be clear
that I am a necessary demographic
and I need to be here
