Translation

By Tolu Oduba

You said there would be less sexism,
If people realize that women
are powerful too,
but we are not just powerful too,
we are powerful.

You said there would be less low self-esteem,
if people realize that black girls
are beautiful too,
but we are not just beautiful too,
we are beautiful.

You see, too is a word
that also means in addition to.

So you say: women are powerful too,
and I say: translation?
In addition to men, women are also powerful.

Or you say: black girls are beautiful too,
and I say: translation?
In addition to white girls, black girls are also beautiful.

To which I will say— no, I am not beautiful too, I am beautiful.