Nina Simone
Four African Women
My skin is black
My forehead long
My hair is woolly too
And my back is strong
Strong enough to carry on
After genocide and all my family gone
What do they call me?
My name is Gatsinzi
My skin is pink
It used to be black
My mirrors and my magazines
Made me cry
Discarded western bleaching creams
Eat away at my skin and self-esteem
What do they call me?
My name is beauty queen
My skin is black too
My eyes are hollow
My loins are cold
My marriage pure
You'd never know the horror in my skirt
They told me it wouldn't hurt
What do they call me?
My name is Mariatou
My skin is brown brown
My hair is fine
My hips still invite you
My mouth still tastes like wine
Hope this European trick
Will get me a visa, not get me sick
What do they call me?
My name is Asawo