I see you. I know your pain.
Please do not let them take your identity. Do not let them tell you how to feel about your own oppression. Do not let them play with your hair and then turn around and say the n word. Do not let them describe you as "colored" Your accomplishments are not because of your skin color you worked hard, you earned it. You are not an exotic animal for them to coo over. You are a human being. Even if they don't treat you like it- you are a human being Do not let them turn their heads and stare at you in school when the topic of slavery arises Do not let them tell you that MLK was the greatest civil rights leader Do not let them convince you that what Rosa Parks did was legal and peaceful and did not open her up to violence. DO not let them speak over you when talking about race DO not let them convince you that this is all a figment of the past This is real. You are real Your feelings are valid You are allowed to keep fighting for justice You do not need permission to feel what you feel You are incredible You do not have to be the "Strong black woman" You deserve to be celebrated. I have been the only person of color on volleyball teams, in honor societies, in classrooms and in work spaces. I have been the only person of color in the room. I have felt eyes wander to me and I have been asked to explain racism - even though it is not my job to educate. To the only person of color in the room - don't be afraid to be loud about injustice, don't be afraid to check the men who ask about your ethnicity. Don't be afraid to be rude to people who look at you like an exotic animal. Don't be afraid to tell them no when they ask to touch your hair. Dont be afraid to be heard. Make your voice loud, make them listen to you. You are worthy of being heard. Last thing- DO not white wash your culture to fit in, own your culture, dont let people make you feel bad about your heritage. Celebrate the hell out of your identity, embrace it, welcome it - do not let them silence you.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorHi there, just your not so average 20-something-year- old Journalism major living life on the sunny side and documenting it! Archives
April 2020
|