Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Thursday, February 25, 2016
My Black History Month Story-also known as "Only In Atlanta"
I was waiting for an elevator today while one of my co-workers' was talking with a young African-American woman about the Postal Service. He was encouraging her to apply and I chimed in as well. She shared that she presently worked for a company that had contract work with the City of Atlanta. My co-worker told her "I believe that the mayor is going to renew that contract." After a few critical remarks she said. "I don't like Kasim Reed. My grandmama told me don't trust anybody with Jet Black Skin and Jet Black Hair. THEY ARE EVIL!" My immediate response? "That is SUCH an Atlanta statement! That is SUCH an Atlanta statement!"
My elementary and high school years were smothered with these type of comments from the 1st grade through the 12th. Crispy (as in burnt). Sambo. All sorts of derogatory comments aimed at my dark skin. I could not understand why people would make fun of me because of my skin. I went to my mother crying many times just asking "Why"? Knowing the cruelty that kids can inflict upon one another. As I grew older and lived through Atlanta's "Light Skin vs Dark Skin" conflict I came to realize that this debate was the fruit of slavery and was a mindset that was thoroughly entrenched in Atlanta Black Culture and had deeeeeeeeep roots.
In high school we had four Mikes. Everybody was given a number. Mike #1. Mike #2. Mike #3. And me. No number. I was called "Black Mike." Whenever anybody would call me that it would immediately be followed by a snickering laugh. No surprise, I hated it. Not being Black, but what was behind me being "assigned" that name.
One of the unexpected benefits of Attending Howard University was that dark skin was.......celebrated! I experienced some of the old mess, but it was exceeded by the positivity surrounding "chocolate brothers." Slowly I grew to become comfortable in my own skin (probably too comfortable....ha!).
Fast forward to 2016. My wife loves me and my dark skin. My oldest daughter (in my opinion) will no doubt marry a chocolate brother one day. My mother encouraged me all the way and saw me through some terrible days. And the world has come to embrace men like Idris Elba. Tyrese. Taye Diggs. Wesley Snipes. So I leave you with words from Pos(dunos) of the rap group De La Soul:
"People think they dis my person by stating I'm darkly packed,
I know this so I point at Q-Tip and he states BLACK IS BLACK" (Me Myself and I)
Peace
My elementary and high school years were smothered with these type of comments from the 1st grade through the 12th. Crispy (as in burnt). Sambo. All sorts of derogatory comments aimed at my dark skin. I could not understand why people would make fun of me because of my skin. I went to my mother crying many times just asking "Why"? Knowing the cruelty that kids can inflict upon one another. As I grew older and lived through Atlanta's "Light Skin vs Dark Skin" conflict I came to realize that this debate was the fruit of slavery and was a mindset that was thoroughly entrenched in Atlanta Black Culture and had deeeeeeeeep roots.
In high school we had four Mikes. Everybody was given a number. Mike #1. Mike #2. Mike #3. And me. No number. I was called "Black Mike." Whenever anybody would call me that it would immediately be followed by a snickering laugh. No surprise, I hated it. Not being Black, but what was behind me being "assigned" that name.
One of the unexpected benefits of Attending Howard University was that dark skin was.......celebrated! I experienced some of the old mess, but it was exceeded by the positivity surrounding "chocolate brothers." Slowly I grew to become comfortable in my own skin (probably too comfortable....ha!).
Fast forward to 2016. My wife loves me and my dark skin. My oldest daughter (in my opinion) will no doubt marry a chocolate brother one day. My mother encouraged me all the way and saw me through some terrible days. And the world has come to embrace men like Idris Elba. Tyrese. Taye Diggs. Wesley Snipes. So I leave you with words from Pos(dunos) of the rap group De La Soul:
"People think they dis my person by stating I'm darkly packed,
I know this so I point at Q-Tip and he states BLACK IS BLACK" (Me Myself and I)
Peace
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