Lateefah Simon

View film portrait of Lateefah. (Link opens in a new window.)

I Am

I am Lateefah
          a woman, a mother
          a survivor of my experiences.I am a believer
          of GOD, of miracles,
          of picket fences and little league games.

I am insightful
          able to look at and analyze
          my prejudices, my troubles,
          my world.

I am everything that they don’t want me to be.

I am working, I’m articulate
I love books, I watch the news.
I am able to prove them wrong.
I am smart.
I am Black.
          I am Black, I am Black

I am struggling,
          hungry at times
          striving for my own space.

I am a winner who continues to lose.

– Lateefah Simon

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