Valerie Mason-John was an Artist Collaborator for the Vancouver Biennale Big Ideas program in 2013 bringing poetry and performance to classrooms. Valerie read her poem Self Portrait during Black History Month 2013 at the Vancouver City Council Chambers.
 

Self Portrait

 

The colour of my skin is the root of my ecstasy
The seed of my life
The colour of my skin is one of nature’s glories
The bloom of my life

The colour of my skin is the flower of my legacy
The taboo of my oppressors
The colour of my skin is the greatness of my splendour
The guilt of my kidnappers

The colour of my skin is the celebration of Eden
Black is an omnipotent being
The rejoicing of life
Black the colour of many skins
Is nature’s own deliberation

The colour of my skin is your fear
My strength
Your ignorance
My wisdom
Your blemish
My beauty

Valerie Mason-John Aka Queenie
read at Vancouver City Hall, Council Chambers, February 2013