Theme: Shadism

Topic: Does the “crowning of the browning” still exist in Jamaican Society?

Preface

Context

As a citizen of the unique country of Jamaica, with its diverse culture and heritage within the Caribbean, I have realized a growing trend among our people that in the long run, will have negative impacts on the society. ‘Shadism’ as many term it, has been entangled and engraved in the minds of our people to the degree that they have the pre-conceived notion that light-skinned people with “pretty hair” are the ideal individuals in comparison to dark-skinned persons with “bad hair” as they describe it.

Purpose

The dub poem, entitles “Browning” seeks to sensitize individuals to the causes and effects of the social problem and the impact it has on individuals and the wider society.

Audience.

Just about anyone who is of Caribbean descent or orgin , will find this piece interesting, as it touches a topical issue that pervades the society on a daily basis. ‘Browning’- Reflective Piece

Livin in Jamaica,

Brown as eva,

Lef gaa Merica

An a up deh me find out me black

What a shack!

Mi lip tin like wafa,

Nose straight like arrow,

Hair long dung inna back,

Like suga cane inna farrow,

Den u call dat black?

U mussi lose fi yuh marrow.

Dats why mi granny seh to mi,

Why yuh try di embassy?

Like how yuh skin suh brown,

Dem naa guh tun u down,

Like mi granny shi did right,

Get mi visa ovanight,

Glad mi cola did suh high,

Si mi movin tru di sky! Before di plane touch di grung,

Custom start to gyada roun,

Dem jus a walk an a pose,

Ball eagle pan dem clothes,

An a talk up inna dem nose an a seh

“Yuh better open up ur box, pull of your shoes, take off ur socks

From bald head straight down to dreadlocks

We are gonna search you to the max!”

Me neva tink dat guh fi mi,

Suh mi do like mi nuh si,

Sportin bran new stone wash jeans,

Browsin tru a mazagine,

Till a man weh look suh mean,

Walk right up an rope een.

Is this the great America

Weh all a wi a clamma fuh?

Is dere mi find out seh black is blood,

Not complexion.

If dis is livin life abroad,

Sen mi straight dung back a yaad.