Skin

I have spoken on this before, but the past 15 days or so have afforded me the opportunity to educate people because I have heard some of the most ignorant, offensive and just plain nonsensical racially motivated remarks ever. (Racism, colorism, prejudice, stereotypes etc. are all tricks of the devil! There is no difference of people, we're all made by THE SAME God) I truly thought that by this age I would be done hearing these things (for the most part I am) and I CERTAINLY thought adults wouldn't open their mouths to say such. I honestly did not think people held these beliefs in their minds and hearts...

If you ever THINK you know what type of music I like, food I eat, schools I attended, sources of income, churches I attended, family life I had, places I went, area I grew up in, clothing I like to purchase, styles I wear my hair in, who I voted for (really? this is none of your business), products I use, causes I believe in, people I identify with etc... based of the brown tone of my skin, you are absolutely out of your mind. How dare you think these things, much less express that.

DO NOT assume I know every rap song that comes on the radio because I don't, do not ask me if my hair is weave, do not ask me "how wild my black churches" have been, do not assume my parents were never married. DO NOT create a difference between me and you.

Yes I can use the same hair gel as you, its freaking gel. Yes I can swim (I just hate being outside so you are not gonna see me doing it). Yes I listen to all types of music. Yes I wear sunscreen, I don't like skin cancer.

My heart pumps red blood like yours. I breathe with a set of lungs God gave me like he gave you. I have feelings, just like you do.  I am a PERSON, a human being with thoughts, strengths, faults, feelings and emotions. Aren't we all?

I'm passionate about this because most of you know that my dream is to have ALL people treated the same. I try to live this out daily by treating people well and apologizing when I don't. I am certainly not perfect, as none of us are but I WOULD hate for my future children to grow up hearing the commentary that I hear. We are all the same and everyone wants respect. Lets give it....

M