Gabriel Ramirez - On Realizing I Am Black

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Gabriel Ramirez, performing at NPS 2015 in Oakland, CA.
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Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry.
We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, we hope to broaden poetry's audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.

[@eweisblat]

"I am black and full of stars. I am not the absent of light. I am who allows light to exist." Wow. Simply incredible!

[@julietmosby4235]

"i am not ugly, i am who allows you to be beautiful..." dam that hit me

[@Lelii321]

Shout out to the people who are in denial of my blackness. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I was taught to hate my features. To straighten my hair. To avoid catching too much sun. In NY. My hispanic friends say I'm not black that i should stop "acting" black. I am so down for this poem. It speaks to me on so many levels. Thank you for this. 👏🏾🙏🏾

[@sweethoneymilk]

YASSS GIRL Rock your blackness, unapologetically black.

[@quietismyjam]

+MaybeNot We have to decolonize our minds. There is no correct way to "look" Hispanic or even act like it. Latin America is only named to categorize the region where Spanish is spoken. There is no such thing as acting black as well. People need to be educated, and your friends are not, right now at least. Catch as many sun rays as you can, because your skin was meant to be flexible and change colors as it protects itself.

[@sweethoneymilk]

dreary dearest Preach!!!

[@sweethoneymilk]

*****​​ Honey, I live in a society where my skin deems who I am as a person. We can't let that go, and I'm not going to become 'color blind' all of a sudden, I'm still black and proud! We're different and that's what makes us beautiful. You can bring up all kinds of mess to undermine pro-blackness but whateva I'M BLACK AND HELLA PROUD.

[@Lelii321]

+Catrinaboox 🙌🏾👏🏾🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@sweethoneymilk]

This video is really good to encourage those afro-latinos that don't admit their black, to appreciate their blackness. I've seen waay too many afro-latinos say "I'm latino not black" as if latino is a race and you can't be black while being latino. It's really sad, and a lot of them go for the excuse "I don't want to be recognize for African American.". Shout out to the apologetically black afro latinos!

[@suzubee9602]

+Catrinaboox When I heard dark skin latinos say they're not black they're Hispanic I am pretty sure it's because black implied their ancestry is from Africa. While there is nothing wrong with that it's just incorrect when it referring to them because they identify differently. I have several Dominican friends and that's what I heard from them. I don't mean to offend. I just think it's a matter of different perspectives.

[@sweethoneymilk]

Rayanette Umbrá​​ Their history IS from Africa, their ethinicty is latino but their ancestry is from Africa. Black is a race not an ethinicty no matter how it's viewed. You're black, you're black no other way around it bih.

[@suzubee9602]

isn't it the same as Mexicans not wanting be called Spaniards though?

[@sweethoneymilk]

Rayanette Umbrá No. Black latinos are still black. Black doesn't make you African nationality wise, only regarding ANCESTRY. They don't have to call themselves African.

[@sweethoneymilk]

Dominicanita Linda His identity is black, you mean nationality. You can't even spell ignorant and you have the audacity to call me ignorant. Black is black, fight all you wany boo.

[@XBR99]

I can relate to this. Im puerto rican and black, my father is black but I do not know him. i grew up around a hispanic family, and hispanics are racist. Grandmother told me to never date a black or a mexican, and that white girls are crazy. Sometimes you laugh, and you dont wanna believe that you're own family could spout such bigotry. Since I'm puerto rican most of my family has white skin, my brothers, my mother, and my step father. I never knew what to identify with and always questioned my skin color. I wanted to be white so bad, because I wanted to be like my parents not asked if I was "adopted". My mother would always tell me I have beautiful skin, but everytime I looked into the mirror I wanted to carve it out. Now I'm proud of who I am, my race, and my color.

[@GabrielRamirezPoet]

Big ups to you Xavier. Keep on shinning family. #blackboyfly

[@XBR99]

Gabriel Ramirez Poet thank you this video was very inspiring.

[@Nassit-Gnuoy]

Don't ever be ashamed of that brother. That's part of what makes you who you are

[@suzubee9602]

+Xavier “TopHatz99” Rolando I don't want to argue I'm just going to request that you don't blatantly claim "hispanics are racist". I know you don't mean all hispanics, but the way you said it makes it seem like it.

[@XBR99]

Rayanette Umbrá hispanics ederly are quite racist. In fact everyone has racist tendencies. We often dont admit but in our heads we sometimes make inquiries based off of a race. what makes you a racist is if you choose to expess those inquiries and actually believe them.

[@SilverFlame819]

The whole time he's talking, I'm just thinking - this dude is *attractive*... The fact that this poem had to happen because of the way we still are is just sad.

[@Ncore52]

"I am not the absence of light. I am who allows light to exist" Yes!!!

[@YurrahAlHadi]

"Isn't that the blackest thing you ever heard God say." #Life

[@shantoriatodd7807]

"Isn't that the blackest thing you ever heard?.....God say? Yes, oh my gracious!!! the love I have for this is unreal! snaps, snaps,and more snaps!

[@5551chichi]

Could you please explain to me that line? I really wasn't sure about what the 'God say' part was supposed to mean.

[@emmbns]

+5551chichi God say -> God said 'let there be light' which highlights without black/Dark there wont be light/white.

[@blackstarkitty9387]

"I held the door for every racist I looked better than" 👏👏👏

[@ThisIsCandA]

Love this now if only the other Dominicans would realize that they are black, because apparently although Haitians rescued them from slavery they still aren't black. #personalissues

[@sweethoneymilk]

Yeah..

[@ThisIsCandA]

Dominicanita Linda LOL!!! I'm sorry are you really trying to teach me about history? Well if you must know Haiti won our Independence in 1804. Then Jean Pierre Boyer, President of Haiti, invaded and unified the country in 1821 while Dominicans attempted to fight Spain for their Independence. So yes Dominicans had to fight us for your freedom but that was because we ruled over the entire country for over two decades. So please before you come under my post acting like the typical immature Dominican name calling and cursing come with actual facts.

[@ThisIsCandA]

Dominicanita Linda Ohh also can you please learn proper grammar and how to actually spell words correctly. I don't usually argue with people who don't have a basic grasp of the English language.

[@ThisIsCandA]

Dominicanita Linda Well first I'll point out the flaws in your argument: 1) First after Haiti gained Independence in 1804 it is said that Dessalines ordered the beheading of the remaining French Creoles not Dominicans, which wasn't true he ordered that the land of the slave owners be burned. 2) I didn't realize countries become Independent more than once. 3) I think that you should stop copying and pasting illegitimate sources LOL. I would have respected you more if you copied and pasted something from Wikipedia rather than a random nobody with no evidence to support their claims. But your attempt was very cute I must say, however, I don't think it is smart of you to get into a historical debate with a history major.

[@ThisIsCandA]

Dominicanita Linda Do you know why? Because your arguments are baseless. Their is no evidence to support your claims besides an article written by some out of touch Dominican but yet here is your dull witted ass again. I go off of Historians across the world. Do you know why Dominicans are the only ones in history making these claims? Because it's not true.Whenever you can find any information that is not provided by a Dominican that helps your case then you should attempt this suicide mission again. If you were as smart as tried to prove under this post you should have realized that A) Haiti first occupied DR in 1821 not 1804 B) Countries only become independent once and C) There is NOWHERE in history where Haiti is responsible for the mass murder of Dominicans. Maybe you should google it because obviously wherever your getting your information from isn't working out in your favor. It makes no sense to argue with a fool with a cause! And go ahead idiot you must resort to name calling and immaturity again because that's all your tasteless people were ever good at other than stealing and murder. So yes call me negro but at least I am one that is educated unlike yourself that can not come up with any form of argument on her own but depends on folklore told by other uneducated people. But good luck though. Anyone as low class as you are really needs as much help as they can get. Goodnight.

[@sakinahsheikh1731]

PREACH!!!! 🗣🗣🗣

[@mazvitamusendo]

The last line caught me off guard 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@claudiasakova1394]

''i am black and full of stars'' 'I am not the absence of light i am who allows light to exist'' ''I am not ugly i am who allows you to be beautiful''

[@laynelis]

This is so incredibly dynamic--that last line and the performance of it kills me. "...the blackest thing you've ever heard God say?" Damn.

[@LouieV6]

I've listened to this poem more than ten times already, and I loved how was able to relate to it. I'm Dominican, like you brother, but I do celebrate the black within me, because we Dominicans pertains to a self-loathing culture; it's illegal to be black in DR, and it's a disgrace to be black in your own family. At some point in time we need to educate our people and show them how beautiful blackness really is.

[@millionaireunknown1]

I know I am late on this. Do not let any Dominican or latino tell you that you are not black. Embrace your Africaness if you want to and stand strong out here.

[@Dani-cu7ip]

Im celebrating the way God made me. ❤️👑

[@AdrianWareBPP-Poet]

Man this poem had a brother moving I could definitely feel the energy. Amazing

[@glitternotorize]

I'm black, native, and puerto rican it kinda opposite for me I was raised by my black family, and denied my blackness by the people around me, great poem! I loved it.

[@ChangeIsGood7775]

Hi! I’m Black American, Native and Cuban. I understand the intersections we live at. ✊🏾

[@chandler5933]

that happens to me to but I know who I am

[@maddiegibbons4059]

Shivers the entire time he spoke, identity isn't as simple as some people want to be. To not fit under one label is to be too beautiful for that label to ever just mean you. And I try to remember that when someone tells me I can't be latinx when my skin is light, when I don't speak spanish fluently, when I didn't know my abuelo who was shot before my mother reached her teen years, he who immigrated from Chile to Mexico to California. And I tell them, do not call me Guerra when you don't know who I am, who he was, and who she is.

[@jacquelinetorres4581]

Weeppaaa, this is it! Gracias, por esto! Thank you for this, you represent the Caribbean greatfully. Brought me to tears.

[@amiraelzokm]

“i’m celebrating the way god made me” i’m not religious but this part ,, just wow . i came here from his poem on button poetry and this man’s writing is astonishing.

[@shantalperezvasquez670]

Absolutely loved this! I myself am Dominican & I can relate to this on so many levels. I was looking for something like this!

[@halosandhorns8330]

If you have blood from Africa, you African and I count you a brother or sister....SO EVERYBODY, we's family ❣️

[@raemae1378]

so beautiful. Thankful that you love your blackness, recognize your blackness, and celebrate it. Beautiful words from a beautiful human. Keep on shining

[@theoceansdepth8585]

He needs to preach to his Dominican brothas and sistas in the island. Their self hatred is problematic af. I love that he's woke though.

[@theoceansdepth8585]

+Dominicanita Linda 😂 I guess being blind is more comfortable than being aware of atrocities occurring in your country. Do you not watch the news, sweetheart? I have on word for you, apartheid.

[@alfredoalcantar8691]

angellove Lapaix there is no such thing is black or Indian or white 🇲🇽 Republica dominicans 🇵🇷

[@naomigary7930]

"i am not the absence of light, i am who allows light to exist"

[@amiraelzokm]

“you see stars died and have come home to me” wow. just wow.

[@MsAstariKson]

So I saved this to my favorites three times. My subconscious must have liked this video more than I thought. 😊

[@momohamed4907]

That last line TOOK. ME. O U T ! ! !

[@spiritualcosmeticss]

jaw on the floor. Thiz iz dope!!! prolific poetry iz so inspiring...

[@emilylaura3229]

he's beautiful.

[@roger8654]

Emily Bridges he is beautiful Hispanic black brotha

[@sunflowermin]

LOVE THIS

[@41yearoldnewdriver]

I love this poem! Oh Gabriel is a spoken word artist. Yeah!

[@TappaTop]

DEEP

[@beforedeal5169]

The ending was like the cherry on top. I love the structure of this piece.

[@elliotross3217]

i am not the absence of light, i allow light to exist

[@emcosm]

This is so good I put in headphones to listen to it again so it would go directly into my head.

[@mahirasaranki9379]

This........too beautiful for words.

[@mary-janegibson8691]

I love love love your poetry

[@trinettehunter6000]

holy. cow. this is amazing

[@brittanyrichard3473]

Very good. Love the energy.

[@QQ-ic9ic]

I'm celebrating the way Yah Made Me💪💪💪so dope👌👌

[@alesxandradf8137]

he's amazing.. so the poem is.. :)

[@ashleyhernandez8579]

This was incredible. YOU are incredible Thank you ✨

[@paytonhill4574]

This gave me chills. Love this so much!

[@josealejandrofernandezcami8368]

And thou shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free

[@matma01]

In the beginning, I was nervous about where he was going with this but mid-way I knew ending would be beautiful!

[@yuuutooobbaby]

That was powerful!

[@siphobesa]

that ending...DAMN!!

[@whitleysmith7504]

.... my heart.

[@keziaoliveira6158]

Oh. I’m in love

[@Mzmissy215]

that was awesome, well done Gabriel!

[@nettyk6862]

This gave me life

[@BlueEyedBrainac]

This is beautiful.

[@mariahMgreer]

i am not the absence of life, i am who allows light to exist...that was good!!!!!

[@AlbaAdventures]

Love this!

[@Instantjell007]

I'm speechless ...like wow .........

[@lazeezee]

yes! preach!

[@mrdarnellabc]

That was deep

[@queenjasmeen1]

that ending tho #hesmagic

[@khalfani125]

YES! YES!

[@danya2685]

beautiful :'))

[@zbluepirate]

I'm a pale Mexican and all I have to say is, "YYYEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! Preach brother Preach!!!!"

[@ayahnahamilton2059]

so important.

[@asias3000]

Here for this

[@bimboodekunle4296]

That ending though😂

[@divineebony8632]

in oakland... In oaklaaaand

[@kyramckenzie7556]

I am black and I'm full of stars I am not the absence of light but I allow light to exist

[@khadraabdi857]

"we allow light to axist" 💖💖💖 good to go buddy u r so handsome ( hot too ;) ) keep doing the great job _proud to be black 💖💝💝

[@ChronicChristy]

I know this was 10 months ago, but I was so moved by your piece that I just could NOT leave without commenting. Every now & then, I come across something that literally takes my breath away & renders me speechless. So I am going to shut up & let my soul marinate in your power and passion.

[@GabrielRamirezPoet]

thank you for your words Christy! bless!

[@phoenixb9109]

You should always celebrate your heritage. It is wrong to call someone the n word especially by your own family. You should have never had to go through that.

[@berry_bunny4273]

awesome!

[@mrschrisbrown416]

2:07 snaps snaps snap Yasss👌👌👌😎👏💯

[@kenziejohnson6365]

Fuck ... I cried.

[@semeriaportillo4045]

I couldn't have said it better because I'm afrolatino as well and my grandma always criticizes and talks mess about black people and says my moms acts "too black" it's as if I can't be both for whatever reason

[@priscelladeluna]

❤️

[@arisbethreyes336]

Great 👍👍

[@FushiginoKuni4]

Nice.

[@TheF1st]

I am black Am the reason for light

[@stah841]

Damn and his hair damn

[@GoogleAccount00]

wow.

[@jenniferaquino1729]

Wow

[@estherk977]

Flexxxx!!!!

[@gurugrimace4426]

Is this the same guy from the “Beach Bodies” poem?

[@GabrielRamirezPoet]

Yes :D

[@juicienyad7582]

I am Irish apache and french black american... I can not relate to half of anyone. Often i feel left out... If i say im black im told im too proper if i say im white im told im too dark but im a yellow bone complexion. If i say im Indian im told your are beautiful but indian and what... Where do i fit in?... Why is it latino men love me the most?

[@hydraelectricblue]

All that passion and empathy, yep he's a black man.

[@papaya3642]

"my grandfather died as the moon"

[@lilycanada6277]

Damn..

[@tiatiamia]

*Snaps.

[@nosiphongubane9651]

yaaaaaaaaaasssssss biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kyramckenzie7556]

I am Africa do not confuse me for hip hop and rap

[@LadidaShaw]

Great poem, just want to say that we have 32 teeth

[@dr.cooley9641]

I want dat sure where can I get it??

[@GabrielRamirezPoet]

Sharon Tow go to the Malik El Shabazz flea market off 116th and Lenox

[@ObeyAmmalol]

Can someone explain the ending to me starting with rap being a fraternal brother

[@kingcharleton5972]

+Obey MyMindlessness I think you mean grandchildren. American music as a whole is a black product. Hip hop is a black product, not a defining characteristic of being black.

[@juicienyad7582]

Why i dont understand this poem?

[@MRxhalemotorsports1]

Yikes.

[@GayFrankenstein]

Is black so base a hue?

[@Sujad]

Slam poetry is terrible. I don't see the appeal personally. It's little more than angry rapping without any music in the background. Also this guy insanely racist. I've listened to his slam poetry on "white privileged".

[@chelsea9929]

Whatever. You always want to act like that us speaking out about issues is Racist, but you always want to silence us. Bye

[@Sujad]

@@chelsea9929 Using racism to fight racism. Genius.

[@chelsea9929]

Sujad How though? By us speaking out about our issues? If that’s racist then yall really gotta work on some stuff

[@Sujad]

@@chelsea9929 I have no problem with anyone speaking up about their issues, I applaud it in fact. Where my support drops though is when you start using racism against others. It is possible for anyone to be racist to anyone else.

[@chelsea9929]

Sujad When was he “racist” by calling out bullcrap that comes from white people? I don’t understand why us speaking out is always somehow racist to y’all.

[@ParahYah_Yasharal58]

Not African; U R one of the 12 Tribes of Judah (Hebrew Israelite). Research this...

[@sugarplum6170]

+Penny Pruitt-Glenn Oh,so are you Christian?

[@ParahYah_Yasharal58]

+Sugar Plum I used to be a Christian, but now not part of any organized religion. I no longer subscribe to the Post-Constantine doctrines of that religious system.

[@sugarplum6170]

If you're not a Christian, then why are you referring to Judah?

[@ParahYah_Yasharal58]

I am a Hebrew Israelite from the Tribe of Judah, one of the 12 Tribes of the biological Children of Israel.

[@somethinggrand144]

Penny Pruitt-Glenn no all the tribes were darker