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Today, I went to the kid’s school for their Black History Month Assembly. I was shocked at how it moved me.
Having a daughter who is part black and living in a mainly white community, I am acutely aware of racism, and she is all too aware of being different. She used to ask me “Why am I the only one with brown skin?” and I would explain to her that she had one black parent and one white parent while the other children had two white parents.
She once asked why she was the only one in our house with brown skin, and I told her I was the only one in our house with red hair, everyone is different.
When she started school, I worried that she might encounter racism. I worried that being different might be too much for her to handle. I remember all too well being teased about my red hair, and how mean kids can be if they think your difference will make you feel weak. I wanted Rebecca to think her difference made her strong.
I tell her all the time how beautiful she is, how gorgeous her skin and her hair are, and today at the assembly, two children read a poem that I hope Rebecca was listening to. I will keep it for her and let the message be hers.
Prayer
Why Did You Make Me Black Lord?
Lord, why did you make me black?
Why did you make someone
the world would hold back?
Black is the color of dirty clothes,
of grimy hands and feet,
Black is the color of darkness,
of tired beaten streets.
Why did you give me thick lips,
a broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did you create someone
who receives the hated stare?
Black is the color of the bruised eye
when someone gets hurt,
Black is the color of darkness,
black is the color of dirt.
Why is my bone structure so thick,
my hips and cheeks so high?
Why are my eyes brown,
and not the color of the sky?
Why do people think I'm useless?
How come I feel so used?
Why do people see my skin
and think I should be abused?
Lord, I just don't understand...
What is it about my skin?
Why is it some people want to hate me
and not know the person within?
Black is what people are "Labeled"
when others want to keep them away...
Black is the color of shadows cast....
Black is the end of the day.
Lord you know my own people mistreat me,
and you know this just ain't right....
They don't like my hair, they don't like my
skin, as they say I'm too dark or too light!
Lord, don't you think
it's time to make a change?
Why don't you redo creation
and make everyone the same?
God's Reply:
Why did I make you black? Why did I make you black?
I made you in the color of coal
from which beautiful diamonds are formed...
I made you in the color of oil,
the black gold which keeps people warm.
Your color is the same as the rich dark soil
that grows the food you need...
Your color is the same as the black stallion and
panther, Oh what majestic creatures indeed!
All colors of the heavenly rainbow
can be found throughout every nation...
When all these colors are blended,
you become my greatest creation!
Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool,
such a beautiful creature is he...
I am the shepherd who watches them,
I will ALWAYS watch over thee!
You are the color of the midnight sky,
I put star glitter in your eyes...
There's a beautiful smile hidden behind your pain...
That's why your cheeks are so high!
You are the color of dark clouds
from the hurricanes I create in September...
I made your lips so full and thick,
so when you kiss...they will remember!
Your stature is strong,
your bone structure thick to withstand the
burden of time....
The reflection you see in the mirror,
that image that looks back, that is MINE!
So get off your knees,
look in the mirror and tell me what you see?
I didn't make you in the image of darkness...
I made you in the image of ME
Author Unknown
I hope that, if you ever meet my daughter, you will get to know the person within. If you don’t, it will be your loss because she is a beautiful person who happens to have brown skin.
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