being a black child living in America is an extremely difficult task
we are forced to deal with all the standards and stereotypes
that have been placed upon us for generations
we are the children who must bear the burden of our ancestors
we are also victims of racism, discrimination, and oppression
black women, specifically, have been lied to for generations
ever since we were children,
we were fed our daily meal of lies by a society that does not care for us
we are told that our skin is too dark, that we are too curvy,
that our bodies do not match the molds created by European standards
people tell us that we are “pretty for a black girl” or “pretty for a dark skinned girl”
although these may seem as though they are compliments,
the underlying truth is that they are saying that people of African descent are not beautiful
OR if we are beautiful, it is only when we are light skinned
why is white the only standard of beauty out there?
there are many variations of black people and black beauty out there in the world
it makes no sense that the only ones who are respected by society
are those who are lighter and have features like those of Europeans
what makes black not beautiful?
to me, black women, like my mother, exhibit strength and confidence
and do not let any obstacle get in their way.
i wish to be like them
they are my true inspirations
to me, black is not the color of darkness and hatred
but instead the color of
beauty, hope, and freedom
Kalijah is a tenth grader from California who identifies as a self-proclaimed chai tea enthusiast. It does not seem possible to her that people are able to get through a week without at least three cups of the stuff. She is a vivacious reader and does not think herself safe and content unless she is in the middle of at least fifteen books at the same time. In addition to this, she is also a feminist and a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.
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