A Sea of Others
Date Published: 9/15/2016
Growing up as one of the few Black girls surrounded by a sea of others was far from easy. You're constantly comparing your image to others wondering, "am I good enough?"
When you are different, you feel different and that mindset begins to integrate itself into your way of life. Yes, there have been times when I was followed down the aisle of the grocery store only to turn and see a clerk pretend to move an item on the shelf instead of accept the fact that they were racially-profiling me. And yes, there have been times when men of other races have told me that the only reason they asked me out is because, "they were curious to know what it would be like to date a Black girl."
These things tear you down. They may seem subtle, but they wear on your conscious, your soul and your sense of well-being. You feel like, well, being me is far from easy. Growing up as one of the few Black girls surrounded by a sea of others was challenging. It wasn't until now that I realized the power in being myself.
It was only now that I realized: I can use my perspective to educate others. And now instead of feeling caged and afraid I feel free to be me. I wouldn't change that for anything in this world.
When you are different, you feel different and that mindset begins to integrate itself into your way of life. Yes, there have been times when I was followed down the aisle of the grocery store only to turn and see a clerk pretend to move an item on the shelf instead of accept the fact that they were racially-profiling me. And yes, there have been times when men of other races have told me that the only reason they asked me out is because, "they were curious to know what it would be like to date a Black girl."
These things tear you down. They may seem subtle, but they wear on your conscious, your soul and your sense of well-being. You feel like, well, being me is far from easy. Growing up as one of the few Black girls surrounded by a sea of others was challenging. It wasn't until now that I realized the power in being myself.
It was only now that I realized: I can use my perspective to educate others. And now instead of feeling caged and afraid I feel free to be me. I wouldn't change that for anything in this world.
