What should I tell myself about being raised in a white world where everything black is abhorrent. Black cats are considered the devil’s pet. Black robes are seen worn by evil men and women. Villains are black and so are their hearts and wicked deeds. Hell is black, the devil is black storm clouds are black and even devil food is black.
What do I tell myself in a world where white represents pure and good. Angel food is white; clouds on a bright summer day are white. Heaven is white, angels are clothed in white robes even the hero who vanquishes the evil is white. Everything good and beautiful is white.
What do I tell myself when I come home upset for being suspected of thievery, and followed around in stores just because of the color of my skin. What do I tell myself when people sometimes look at me and suspect ignorance and stupidity just because I’m black.
Black is evil and white is good
Should I tell myself that I’m evil, second class and ignorant?
No.
I tell myself three continents were built to wealth on the backs of my ancestors. I tell myself my people have ruled The Nile as kings and queens, measured the stars and discovered the laws of mathematics.
I tell myself Africa is the birth place of humanity
I tell myself inventors of my skin color invented the stop light, the train communication system, the stop light, the gas mask and a method of eye surgery that allowed blind people to see
I tell myself I am a human being and if dissected with any other race. They will find the same skeleton, the same molecules that make us up and even the same skin cells.
I tell myself I am black.
But I am not defined as a dictionary definition.
I am a human being.