I am... God Damn

Semba Jallow-Rutherford, Performance Poet

I am a black disabled man
That’s who I say I am
I am an African
An African disabled man
That is who I am
God damn

Meet me eye to eye
Then try to take me on
Mr. politician
Mr. policeman
Mr. preacher man
I say take me on
God damn

For I am who I say I am
An African disabled man
Come and take me on
Racist institutions
Come and take me on
You ignorant ones
God damn

I am who I say I am
When you look at me
You’ll see a black disabled man
Not just a black man
Nor a disabled one
I am an African
An African disabled man
I say come and take me on
All you medicine men
All you informed ones
God damn

Come and take me on
I am not a sick man
I am not a case note
I am not a freak show
God damn

I am who I say I am
I am who I am
A black man
An African
An African disabled man
Look at me and
Tell me what or who you see
You see a man
An African
An African disabled man
For I am who I am
God damn

I am not the wheelchair that I sit in
Not the walking cane that I walk with
Nor the dishevelled frame you’re looking at
I am a black man
An African
An African disabled man
God damn

I am who I am
I am who I say I am
God damn
God damn

S Jallow-Rutherford

© Copyright British Council of Disabled People 2002