I Am Woman

I will not be oppressed.

Look at you

Try'na figure out my bra size

The shape of my hips

And if I'll let you between my thighs

I'm more than that.

The struggle of the "man"

Has always been documented

All the pain supplemented

By the knowledge that you

Will get your remunerations.

But woman continues to be oppressed.

Looked over for the best job

The hottest spot

And asked to "put out" to get what she wants.

But I refuse to be of that statistic

One more colored woman just about to miss it.

Don't try to tell me that I've got it made

"Find a good man live in the shade"

But what if I want to be independent?

Will you still look at me in a demeaning way?

Tell me that, "Girl, in the house is where you should stay"?

The divas before me paved the way

They said it was okay

To want to prove myself

To extend my wings and fly.

I will not be denied

Even though I may be considered

A second class citizen

I will prove my worth and leave no question

That like Dr. Maya Angelou said

"Still I rise."

Rise above the oppression

Above the proclamation that being female

I am inadequate

Above the innuendo and defamation

That the world throws my way.

I will never be less

I will always be more

For the power I possess

Many want... but none can store.

Don't tell me I can't do do it

And don't put boundaries to my climb.

Just because I'm a woman

Doesn't mean that I'm weak

It just means that my strength

It just comes from way, way deep.

So woman lift your head

walk about strong and proud

Don't allow those out there

To bring you down

Remember that you are the jewel

You hold the prize

And you are truly amazing

In God's loving eyes.

I am woman.

I won't be oppressed

I won't be denied.