Four African Women

My skin is black My forehead long My hair is wooly too And my back is strong Strong enough to carry on After genocide and all my family gone What do they call me? My name is Gatsinzi My skin is pink It used to be black My mirrors and my magazines Made me cry Discarded western bleaching creams Eat away at my skin and self-esteem What do they call me? My name is beauty queen My skin is black too My eyes are hollow My loins are cold My marriage pure You'd never know the horror in my skirt They told me it wouldn't hurt What do they call me? My name is Mariatou My skin is brown brown My hair is fine My hips still invite you My mouth still tastes like wine Hope this European trick Will get me a visa, not get me sick What do they call me? My name is Asawo