Black Girl Magic: A Poem

Black Girl Magic: A Poem is Browne’s way of responding to the way black girls “should” look and act. Change this to: white girls, fat girls, skinny girls…. any female.  The theme is not exclusive to the population Browne speaks of.  We “should” act a certain way or else society shames you: “Be Different as long as it’s Different like Me” screamed off the page for me. “Society: Be Yourself. NO, not that way…” also is loud and clear. Browne challenges this “should” mentality.

Browne’s unique voice captures one part of society, by calling out or Roll Calling (explained at the end of the book) different people who have made a path for black girls and for Browne. I would say many of these women have also contributed to the path of women in general. If Viola Davis can be considered beautiful (and by no means is she the “Marylin stereotype” though, yes, she is an amazingly beautiful woman) all woman can say, “Why shouldn’t I be considered beautiful, too?”

I am not black, but I too, do not fit the societal norm for how I “should” be. How I
“should” look. How I “should” dress. While I am not Browne’s targeted audience, Browne speaks for the “shoulds” of society. I would also like to see this done for boys as well. Society has “shoulds” for them, too.

The only part of this book I am not enjoying, is that is only one poem. This theme could be expanded on in a collection. All different poets could contribute: black, white, male, female, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, gay, straight, trans, and more. The “should” theme covers many different areas.