One of the most powerful performances of the XX century. “Me gritaron Negra” by Victoria Santa Cruz
Lyrics in English:
I was just seven years old,
Just seven years old...
What seven years old!
And not even make it five!
Suddenly, some voices on the street,
They yelled at me: “Black!”
Black! Black! Black!
Am I “Black”? - I told myself (Yes!)
What is to be a “Black”? (Black!)
And I didn’t know the sad truth
that might be behind (Black!)
And I felt black (Black!)
As they said (Black!)
I stepped back (Black!)
Just as they wanted (Black!)
And I hated my hair and my fleshy lips
And I saw with sadness my brunette skin
I stepped back (Black!)
I stepped back...
Black! Black! Black! Black!
And time went by,
and I was always so bitter
I continued to carry my heavy burden
On my back,
And how it weighed!
I smoothed my hair
And I make up my face,
But among my soul, I heard
Always the same word:
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Until one day, when I stepped back,
I stepped back, and I was going to fall out
Black! Black! Black! Black!
So what? So what?! (Black!)
Yes- (Black!)
I’m- (Black!)
Black!- (Black!)
I’m black! (Black!),
Yes- (Black!)
I’m- (Black!)
black!- (Black!)
I’m black!!
Henceforth, I don’t want
Smooth my hair (I don’t want!)
And I’ll laugh at those
To prevent - they said -
To prevent some conflict
They call black people “people of colour”
And what a colour! (Black!!)
And how good it sounds! (Black!!)
What a rhythm it has!
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Black! Black! Black!
Finally!
I finally realised! (Finally!)
I don’t step back anymore (Finally!)
I walk safe (Finally!)
I walk and hope (Finally!)
And I bless the Heaven because God wanted that
My skin was jet black colour,
And I understood (Finally!)
That I have total control:
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Black! Black!
I’M BLACK!!!!