Soft is not my middle name
But I know to respect traditions
Of my ancestors.
Being on my knees for the elders
Is my tradition not weakness.
I will not look you in the eye
If you wish to speak to me
And that is respect not disrespect
As you suspect.
I am prideful
Relentless
And confident
Imitating the women of my life;
Mama, aunt and grandma
.
I am Africa’s daughter
A woman
Papa’s morning sun
Hibiscus flower
Of African soil
Not goods for trade;
Dare not place a price tag on me
In exchange for my hand in Marriage
.
Once I am married,
Pressure me not to bare
A “village” for the clan
For
I am only human
Just like u
Only blessed to be
An African woman.
~Susan McMillan
For many African women who still suffer under the pressure of tradition.
Rhythm In Life 
This is beautiful
Thank you Ken.
You’re welcome
Reblogged this on idahodimple.
Beautiful!
Thanks dear.
Love your choice of words. Very, very profound.
Thank you very much for reading and your kind words. 🙏
Beautifully penned!
Thank you Jamila. I truly appreciate.😊
beautiful and inspiring ❤
Thank you very much. I love tradition but yet there are times when it presses one again a wall. I grew up seeing that in my mother land and sadly still do.
Thank you for sharing some insight. Gives me insight on needs for prayer too. God loves you!
Just beautiful Susan!
Thank you very much Miss Terri for your kind response. I enjoy sharing a world that is familiar especially from my childhood.🌹
Beautiful Poem!
Thank you Roshonda my dear 💝
Bless you, darling. You remind me of Maya Angelou… only quieter and small. Yet, there’s great power in your small voice…your quiet fierceness. Your roots are deep. You will stand long and tall. I’m proud to know you.
Thank you Miss Kitsy for your kindness over and over. It’s humbling to hear my name next to Miss Maya’s even though I know her voice was much stronger than I can ever have. Her strength to speak up has always been an inspiration to me and I am thankful. I am thankful to know women like you that encourage me to stand tall. Thank you again and again.🌹
So lovely, so inspiring! Thank you!
Thank you very much
Eye contact or lack of it can so easily be misinterpreted as you say here.
Eye contact is one of the many aspects I have had to adjust to here in the States. I was raised to never look straight in someone’s eyes yet the opposite is true here and now I teach and ask our little ones to look me in the eye when I am talking to them. I think though, it’s important to learn different cultures and why people behave how they behave. I hope you are having a good weekend Miss Elizabeth. 💝
I learned that from a Korean student. When we talked she explained that it was disrespectful to look a teacher in the eye.
It’s the same in Uganda. Looking someone in the eye is considered a challenge.😁. It’s amazing how different cultures can be.
❤ susan this is a great poem. xxx
Thank you very much. I truly appreciate your readership. 💝🙏🙏🙏