Brave New Voices 2010 - "Favorite Color"

Favorite Color by Jay Davis

[@southernladiibozeman3893]

5 years later and this poem has never lost its power!

[@keelyzellmer2657]

Jellesa Edwards this poem will never lose its power!!!

[@user-ns5vt1id6h]

9 years later

[@brucef4329]

@@user-ns5vt1id6h FACTS

[@jennifertheiss9472]

12 years later and still ;-;

[@davidbritt467]

2021 and I still search for this. Timeless and powerful

[@courtneylogan1724]

Same. Watching now. It's iconic.

[@lovelybird5004]

Its gets me every time when she says "I would drown myself in the Pacific Ocean for you to kiss my corpse cheek because I often forget you have lips" I cant stop the tears!

[@TheViciousCabaret]

Doesn't matter how many times I see this, it always makes me cry.

[@TheTacOToldMe2]

Please don't ever delete this video!!! Please please please! This is incredible.

[@LeeHeckman]

Some poems are meant only for those who hear.

[@lovelykali]

11 years later and this poem still rips at my soul. The pain she conveys. The metaphors she conjure. The magic she makes in this poem. Whoooo.

[@MsWhit2013]

I'm dark skinned, my mom redboned. I'm scared to even imagine what this felt like. She's strong because she was able to express herself.

[@morgancurry4098]

That wasn't the point of the poem.

[@MsWhit2013]

+Morgan Curry that's how I took it. What is the actual point?

[@morgancurry4098]

+whitley coco She used the favorite "color" anology because she wanted to be her mother's favorite color. This is a girl crying for her mother's attention because she hasn't been there for her, or her siblings. She was saying she would change into her favorite color just to receive a hug from her mother. The color in this poem had nothing to do with being light skin or dark skin. She would change into any color just to be shown affection. If that makes sense.

[@MsWhit2013]

+Morgan Curry oh wow. I never saw it that way. Thank for that!

[@destainegolder148]

Thanks for explaining this because I was trying to figure out was this written by her expressing her feelings towards to her Mom or was it a poem about being actually neglected?! I get it now I felt that it was so heart wrenching..

[@MsMika]

Everytime--EVERYTIME I watch this little girl...plead with her own mother to love her...it breaks me into tiny little pieces... When she came on stage crying even before speaking one word, I knew THIS poem was HER story... Simply a talented beautiful young lady...

[@paydro162]

“Human just have crazy tendencies when they just want someone to love us” 🗣🗣🗣🗣

[@motorcitymangababe]

No Shit man, she deserves that standing ovation at the end

[@jellyfishSurprise]

I still cry every single time I watch this. So powerful, so raw, so emotional. ❤

[@missshannonsunshine]

I'm crying so hard.. I can't even relate that much. Just thinking about all the pain she felt made me cry

[@MsLovelife1998]

Amazing

[@TheJoya1234]

11 years on and this poem is still powerful/ devastating

[@cenyat2274]

8 years later I still cry... so much power

[@Suvi1128]

I love this girl... so passionate, so emotional, so intelligent, so touching.... This is actually perfect, the only spoken poetry that makes me bawl. I love this girl, I really want to give her a hug, and my god, she's so brave.

[@TheAvannessa]

"Im not crazy ma, humans just have crazy tendencies when we want someone to love us". That was brilliant. This entire piece was just beautiful, I couldn't help but tear up at the emotion being pushed out from this girls voice. Truly an amazing poet.

[@jefffedor7239]

A deep pain and longing for love.A voice cries out in the hope to be heard.The echo of love from above her only comfort and the wish for love on earth.Cry out Cry out listen listen and heal.

[@utopiad4]

WOW! The people who state that they don't get this poem truly baffles me. Maybe you don't he it because your to young, or had love poured on you all your life. Or maybe you are without a soul. Those that don't "GET" this poem, don't even worry about it. You'll never get it!

[@harrysjulie]

A beautiful response :)

[@n3rdg4sm69]

Welcome to america, and more importantly dystopia. I live with 4 siblings, one of whom is a baby. I probably get less attention than her, and I'm fine with it cause such is life. Sorry all you hopefulls, but this happens, and it's not even uncommon. So, what

[@jsmyth024]

Ms. Utopia Or maybe they just don't understand it? Maybe she spoke too fast for them, or they aren't audibly inclined and the imagery confused them. People judge so harshly what they can't understand. Even if it's someone else simply saying, "I can't understand".

[@bri8634]

Ms. Utopia why don’t you try explaining it instead of belittling people who don’t “get” it. Maybe some people don’t understand poetry as fast as others.

[@FRAGGARED]

i hope her mum saw this.

[@hajasidimesherif8777]

Years later, I am here, as a mother to be that never had mother 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@tjr112784]

This is still my favorite in 2024! Does anyone know any of her socials?

[@901snoop1]

@VONiiE8 She crazy for her mother love... The kind of love that every child should get from their mother... That unconditional love....

[@imanirm]

10 years later and wow

[@kingtrey4567]

2024 and this poem is still powerful!

[@eveexists8273]

Wow. Holding back my tears.

[@ilovethelord123]

I watched this on Showtime OnDemand...I BALLED. This poem was the absolute BEST ALL NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lettucelive]

"I'm sure you'd look at me more often if I was the color that made you smile." Man.

[@thefaultinmyways]

I’ve watched this poem a million times!

[@kelsiee4541]

TwistedPoise me to

[@JimmyJamesMcCrary]

Still one of my favorite pieces! 😩😩🙌🏾

[@valaridel5030]

‘ All 5 of us are in fact your favourite colour’ hit a little different

[@chikaodemena]

My heart hurts every time I listen to this. So beautiful, so deep so powerful,, so creative.

[@caswift20xz]

I’ve been looking for this for years

[@matthewfliegel7057]

Is it just me or are there a few verses missing from the original version? I use this in my teaching and typed it up a few years ago. This (and any other versions on youtube) seem to be missing: "Tell me it’s black. I will have no problem with ripping out these weak strands of hair And stitching them to the left side of your chest So you can feel your pulse in my scalp. Except I know you were never one to wade in the dark. That leaves white as my next option. If in fact this is your favorite color I will be forced to Novocain myself speechless. Pull my teeth one by one out of my mouth and into my palm Fist full of smiles that I usually only bless silence with. I have a low tolerance for pain But masochism would be worth it. You love on a grayscale. Like a schizophrenic paraplegic. Is it because your seven siblings stripped the rainbow from your throat? Each draining a different color from the sky in your sound? A shaky squeak left in a scraped up voice box I can barely hear." I'm grateful for the content either way and my students love it, but I thought anyone else who enjoys this great poem should get these 3 versus too.

[@Wiz_Kizzy2]

10 years later 💪🏾💪🏾. Great job Natalage

[@Panamaswaife]

Who’s still watching and crying in 2023? 🙋🏾‍♀️

[@lsdmolelekki]

This girl reminds me why i still write poetry.

[@ygplayer02]

REALLY REALLY GOOD PIECE.. I also do spoken word too but at 1:47 is something in person i have never seen anyone do and it gave me chills how she was able to change her emotion drastically in a split second..

[@LittleGamer909]

it's truly amazing how words can have such a power over you

[@somalianb0y]

its about her mother not accepting her sexuality. some of you are off and feeling emotion for the wrong reason

[@standup4change]

The way they ENGULFED her in LOVE at the end, makes me cry harder!! It's like they wanted to give her the HUG she cries out for!!!!

[@imanicunningham2594]

I love this solo much I cried because I feel the emotion and relate to the Poem

[@dfigsy]

Still makes me cry every time ❤

[@rothutbiene]

Favorite Color by Jay Davis Mom I wish I knew your favorite color The only one of gods many crayons that gets you to sit up straighter To unbreak your spine from a roach egg infested headboard your five children sit campfire cylinder style around playing guessing games about it I bet it’s red Like a sea I’ve never seen but hear quite often in your voice late at night If it is - I will strip my skin off my body bare crimson flesh I’m sure that you’d would look at me more often if I was the color that makes me smile but maybe its blue a sky like shade that can only be achieved by swallowing the salty sea I will drown in the pacific ocean for a kiss on my corpse cheek because I often forget that you have lips Only reminded when the moon gets home before I do they bite, sting like thunder claps and you are oblivious to this tell me its black And I want you to know that there is Technicolor lined in the insides of my elbows so hug me mom pretend that you like me long enough to capture the ultra violet in my flesh suffocate me caved in shoulders in a rising bosom squeeze the life out of me so that you can see rainbows again don’t see it as a homicide but a sacrifice to the greater good and I know I know that now you probably just think I’m crazy and this is just another one of my phases but I’m not crazy mom humans just have crazy tendencies when we want some one to love us I want you to stop living in black and white images pay close attention to the movement in your children’s pigment maybe then you will finally see that all five of us are in fact your favorite color kzbin.info/www/bejne/forEgKiHf7p8bpY

[@taune03]

This poem is so good. Mostly because of the presence felt before she even begins!

[@lexismith5217]

I hope one day I can move people with such powerful words like she has. This, was just soooooo beautiful.

[@alesandracortez21]

this is sooo beautiful!

[@alinasanchezandhermojo]

This is truly a masterpiece. I've literally written it in my notebook so I can read the words when i'm not online. I love every part of this and I dread that I couldn't be there to see this in person.

[@eswa2002]

This young woman.... is unbelievable. She is a strong, yet... in pain. Much love to her. Jay, stay strong.... keep doing what you're doing... you are helping people everywhere... deal with pain... sorrow and the need to be loved. I understand it has its costs.... but keep your head up... stand up and be heard.... you might be young in age.... but your wisdom is that of a sage. Can anyone tell me how to contact this young woman directly. She is an inspiration.

[@LadidaShaw]

@VivaLaSaphinna she is basically saying she wishes she knew her mom's favorite color, the one color that makes her happy... so she can become that color b/c she wants her mom to love her like she loves that color or show affection towards her & her 4 brothers & sisters... she just wants her mom to love her ... let me know if u still don't get it, i'll try to explain it better if u don't :)

[@10311144]

I love reading the comments after watching a good poem to share the excitement and appreciation but I had to stop after only a few because of the nonsense I began skimming through. I wouldnt want someone's critiques or skeptics to taint this poem this is raw and authentic,I hope this girl doesnt read the comments either because some of these people just need to stfu and write their own damn poetry

[@10311144]

I love reading the comments after watching a good poem to share the excitement and appreciation but I had to stop after only a few because of the nonsense I began skimming through. I wouldnt want someone's critiques or skeptics to taint this poem this is raw and authentic,I hope this girl doesnt read the comments either because some of these people just need to stfu and write their own damn poetry

[@multiracialbabe]

YoungTrez Again I disagree. If u knew the background of these kids lives you see that their emotion is no where near fake. I'm a poet myself and I write bare out of emotion. I've cried for days and would write poetry to ease my pain. And it's the same way with them. U may think it's fake but it's not. Cuz then I wouldn't b able to feel the emotion between the words. I can tell the difference.

[@multiracialbabe]

not required to render something that we may find painful. No offese but just because you can spit something with no emotion and deeper meaning what what its worth doesnt mean that that's how everyone should do it. you may not be an emotional person but not everyone is entitled to not feeling what the wrote. There are alot of poets who wouldnt be where they are if they didnt allow themselves to relieve that pain they felt in their pieces.

[@multiracialbabe]

YoungTrez I have to disagree. That fire and emotion inside is meant to b brought out through the lines of the poem to get that heart wrenching feeling that even the audience can feel. There's nothing wrong with the theatrics. Poetry is meant to be emotional, not played out like a robot conducted symphony. That fire is what brings life. And you may not know what these kids have gone through and this is how they left it b known. Because I am one of them and I find offense that you say emotion is

[@terea6866]

Seven years later . . . Great Timing for our politicians to learn something. #AChildsWorth . . . being heard. @facebook.com/AChildsWorth

[@temecalh]

Touching I cry'd through the whole thing a mother who doesn't love you is horrible she would drown her self to become pale I mean really she would drown herself it's horrible the poem is touching and deep and mixed up filled with love and hate filled with desperation for her mothers love wow it traveled deep in my heart and all I can really say is wow and everything else I put

[@Biddledits]

Just because she is a woman of color doesn't mean she's talking about it. As lovers of poetry can you not see passed a look? Let's give it a different take, maybe she's talking purely in metaphor. Maybe she's asking why can't her mother love her and her siblings purely for who they are, they're own individual color.

[@ronellekiss]

hey i saw this poeam for the first time tonight and it got to me. this is the reason why the LEGEND JAMES BROWN SAID GOD REST HIS SOUL WE ARE BLACK AND WE ARE PROUD. this poem should live on for eternity do not be afraid if you are black love the skin that you are in the skin that god gave us . for peace sake love who you are and FOR FUCK DO NOT BLEACH.

[@quoridlls]

Couldn't help balling when I watched this. I knew she had a perfect score. All heart soul and spirit. it touched me so much I thought we should all stop and realize something just made us ALL cry. How often does that happen? And, by the way, I'm really glad the next team up brought it too cause this young lady was the Toughest act to follow!

[@oodietichenor554]

I’ve had an amazing relationship with my mother but this poem always brings tears

[@marice979]

omg...i just cudnt stop crying in this..and im not usually emotionally moved and i was just thinking...boy do i wish i cud be ur mother so i cud love you so much that u wud never say such emotional things and recite more happier poems....man, i cud just hug you

[@261egipt]

No it is about wanting to be loved truly with no strings attached or judgement!! Nobody is perfect!!The world has everyone on one thought when we all think different!! Just hold your children and love them no matter what "color" or what they do!! GOD Is Good!!

[@wildcatzforever]

i wish i could put what i feel into a poem like you can. if i could, i would have wrote this. humans just have crazie tendecies when they want someone to love us. i feel like i do those to get my familys attention in a much less physicaly painful way, but i hurt just the same.

[@raisharde]

@Legacybabe824 Her mother doesn't like her or pay her any attention because she is darkskinned she feels her mother doesn't love her. She wishes she could be her mothers favorite color & would do whatever it takes to become that color, even die just so her mother would show any love towards her.

[@brutus4693]

Turning your life into an act for success is a mode of trying to gain sympathy and bonus points. We all grow up through rough shit, but we grow up. Don't hang onto the past, for you will grasp not the present, nor the future. Good actress though, love the played emotions.

[@SahLah81]

Great explanation JJtanen.... I just want to add that alot of African Americans discriminate against DARK skin African Americans so suppose that's the case. My bff had a Grandmother who wants nothing to do with her but loves her light skin sister who is 1/2 spanish.

[@YummyCupcakification]

My class watched this today. Every single other person was like "WOW shes ugly and she is crying! wow." and after 10 seconds, i was literally balling my eyes out. I didn't care about the others making fun of me. Because this poem is amazing.

[@walnutshellwarrior]

Poetry is an expression of one's self. It is vocalized emotions. Feelings bound by words. A good poet can make his or her audience experience everything expressed in the poem seemingly firsthand. I know the depth of her emotions as she wrote this.

[@Diamond121212]

@SahLah81 my moms grandma was that way she had one favorite and told everyone else they were too dark for her. he was the only one who matched her tone i believe he was mixed. cause my mom isnt even dark truely she's caramel colored if not a bit lighter

[@VONiiE8]

Yeah. She's def. crazy. The look in her eyes she said "humans just have crazy tendencies when they want someone to love them" admits crazy. But BEAUTiFUL poem tho.I wish was lyrically AWESOME like these spoken word artists.

[@jusbreezybri]

in tears this truly hits home and im onli 19 i kno how sad this is for especially begin this young sometimes all u every realli need is a heartfelt embrace wen they all ran to her i kno she felt a release it worked for me

[@MrAronnin]

Her mom is black. She's saying her mom doesn't notice her at all. So if she was her moms favorite color than she would finally be loved because she was finally her moms favorite. P.S. She alittle bit dark to have a white mom

[@lovetobehiswifey15]

this made me cry so hard i almost got sick. i remember a time when i felt this same pain clawing at my chest, causing me to cry myself to sleep almost to the point i almost killed myself, JUST WANTING HER TO LOVE ME!!!

[@bells44life]

@myway713 ... thanx...... and why does she says I want you to stop leaving in black and white images! and then the guy at the end says her spirit lives on. those are the two lines that confuses me the most!

[@AriLiv1]

i only started crying at the end when she walked off the stage. i was too shocked to cry before. my mum is the same- always angry. but i'm out of this house soon anyways. i'll find someone who actually does love me.

[@kedahmiller]

I won't pretend to understand fully but I believe that she is talking about rejection from her mother because of her being dark skinned. It sounds like her mom resents her and her siblings because of it.

[@chucklebronco]

Ok, so I didn't cry. But crying ain't for everybody. I got that feeling in the pit of my stomach though. That "oh my goodness I can feel every bit of emotion" kinda feeling. I love this. A LOT.

[@ContentMadame]

@Y0UNGTR3Z That's the difference between a slam and recitation; slam poetry isn't MEANT to be soullessly recited. If flat, emotionless readings are what get you off, a slam is not the place for you.

[@TierraChantell118]

i love this poem alott alott alott! i think this poem maybe trying to tell her mother that she gay or something. it may seem stupid, but this poem is so amazing that it doesnt even need an explanation

[@passionate435]

I understand exactly what she's talking I feel the same way about my mom except there wasn't 5 there was only 2 my older brother was shot and killed in front of me at a early age

[@jamaicancutie1000]

that really made me cry, i'm just unsure what she's talking about, did her mom abandon them because they were too dark or something, was she white? can someone please explain it to me?

[@NicoleSaVoy]

i love this poem so much! i love my mother and knows she love me....even though i think she should show it alot more!!! Just cause you love yo kids dont mean they know it!!!!!

[@ronellekiss]

@lilbabiigurl1989 thank you so much for explaining this to me, thank you so much. another thing, did these children do these poems based on like life experiences?.

[@Forbrtishesyesonlyy]

I saw this on HBO. I thought that poetry was really lame. But when I heard this poem I stood still, in silence, and unknowingly began to cry. Very very deep.

[@sammyt9532]

wow thats the closest ive ever been to crying watching spoken literature...that was amazing and so sad. :..( But it was amazingly deep. great job hun

[@tondymoorelol15]

this is my favorite poem it makes me thik about what other ppl go through and that my life isnt that bad i am sorry for erything yu go through

[@ILuvKhrisJ]

My mother is the same way only yells or speaks to me on her terms or when she thinks I did something wrong I've watched this ten times already

[@StaceyValles]

@nickky555 I accidently hit the dislike button trying to press like.lol. Yeah.. this is amazing I posted it on my facebook and twitter.

[@dragee29]

My eyes are wet.... That's sooo beautiful and so deep. She have a big talent! This text are a therapy for her and I hope she's ok now...

[@Dormaninth14]

I love the emotion and the poem , but is the nessage as clear as I think it is? Does her mom not like her because shes black or something?

[@ovanlover2]

@Uniklymade1 i felt this poem too, even though i do get attention i feel like she hides things from me like i do to her. i cried along too

[@lea15469]

10 years later and this still brings me to TEARS 💔

[@Lala2thick2stick]

i love this poem so much! so many ppl don't even know about this poem because they don't show the poetry slam on showtime anymore!

[@chaay25]

I absolutely love this poem and thaya not even the whole Poem HBO Edited some on it out but I found the whole poem on youtube though

[@mrzpunkin]

@Biddledits &ifeel that's exactly what she says. she wants her mother to love her just as much as she loves her favorite color.

[@Phase1luver]

I teared up even though i dont fully understand it. i need someoene to break it down to me just to make sure im right. Any help?

[@JJTanen]

1. Even if she wasn't adopted, it's ridiculous that people assume she's this or that: can't judge a book by its cover. 2. She's addressing self-hatred, which is why it resonates.. 3. Even if she wrote it placing herself in someone else's shoes, that's still legitimate art. 4. Poems aren't facts, the audience can interpret it with their own realities, that's part of the nature of art in general. 5. There's a subtext of America's perspective of Blacks overall here..

[@JJTanen]

@WhiteGlitterTV 1. She could be "mixed race," some look more white, some more black. Her mother could also be Latino or mixed but see herself white. 2. She's addressing self-hatred, which is why it resonates.. 3. Even if she wrote it placing herself in someone else's shoes, that's still legitimate art. 4. Poems aren't facts, the audience can interpret it with their own realities, that's part of the nature of art in general. 5. There's a subtext of America's perspective of Blacks overall here..

[@josephdavenport2894]

But damn its not even about the writing. Im glad you found a way to express yourself and rise over unfortunate situations