Victoria Santa Cruz, a Peruvian choreographer, activist, and composer, used her 1978 poem “Me Gritaron ¡Negra!” to powerfully affirm her Black identity amidst racism. Known for highlighting the often overlooked Black experience in Peru through her work, Santa Cruz’s influence remains enduring, even after her passing in 2014.ictoria Santa Cruz, a Peruvian choreographer, activist, and composer, used her 1978 poem “Me Gritaron ¡Negra!” to powerfully affirm her Black identity amidst racism. Known for highlighting the often overlooked Black experience in Peru through her work, Santa Cruz’s influence remains enduring, even after her passing in 2014.
One of the most powerful performances of the XX century. “Me gritaron Negra” by Victoria Santa Cruz
I was just seven years old,
And not even make it five!
Suddenly, some voices on the street,
They yelled at me: “Black!”
Am I “Black”? - I told myself (Yes!)
What is to be a “Black”? (Black!)
And I didn’t know the sad truth
that might be behind (Black!)
And I felt black (Black!)
Just as they wanted (Black!)
And I hated my hair and my fleshy lips
And I saw with sadness my brunette skin
Black! Black! Black! Black!
and I was always so bitter
I continued to carry my heavy burden
But among my soul, I heard
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Until one day, when I stepped back,
I stepped back, and I was going to fall out
Black! Black! Black! Black!
So what? So what?! (Black!)
Smooth my hair (I don’t want!)
They call black people “people of colour”
And what a colour! (Black!!)
And how good it sounds! (Black!!)
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Black! Black! Black! Black!
I finally realised! (Finally!)
I don’t step back anymore (Finally!)
I walk and hope (Finally!)
And I bless the Heaven because God wanted that
My skin was jet black colour,
And I understood (Finally!)
That I have total control:
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Black! Black! Black! Black!
Black! Black! Black! Black!