Black and woman
God knows
if I have a soul
man or woman
Who knows
if I have culture
with or without a soul
I know
That I exist
with or without culture
I know
Who I am
Monique Ilboudo was born in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. She completed a Doctorate in Law and taught at the University of Ouagadougou until 2000. She is currently the Minister for Promotion of Human Rights in Burkina Faso. This poem is a translation from the original French language version.
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