Growing up I lived in a white suburban neighborhood and my school was predominantly white. I’m fully black but everyone made me feel like I was mixed. I even would get asked by other black kids if I was fully black because of how I sounded and where I lived. I hated it. I just wanted to be what I was, which was black. I would also get the “ugh Leah you’re not like other black girls, like you’re not ghetto” “your hair is always straight and it’s yours” “you’re an Oreo” and I used to be so pretentious about it until I got older and realized this was disrespectful and discriminatory. Then of course being in black circles I would get “why is your hair so long!” There was no way to win. I was so happy after I got into college and I could discover myself fully.
Now that I’m adult, married, and wanting my own kids, I want to be so careful on the words that I say. My husband is white so they will see the world in a completely different way. I worry about it sometimes, but I’m praying I can bring joy and uplift them in anyway they need. I loved your post I connect with it so much!
Thank you so much for sharing. I'm glad I'm not alone in this experience and it's always great to hear when others connect with the words I've shared. I'm certain you will bring joy and uplift your future children in anyway way they need too :-) xxx
Growing up I lived in a white suburban neighborhood and my school was predominantly white. I’m fully black but everyone made me feel like I was mixed. I even would get asked by other black kids if I was fully black because of how I sounded and where I lived. I hated it. I just wanted to be what I was, which was black. I would also get the “ugh Leah you’re not like other black girls, like you’re not ghetto” “your hair is always straight and it’s yours” “you’re an Oreo” and I used to be so pretentious about it until I got older and realized this was disrespectful and discriminatory. Then of course being in black circles I would get “why is your hair so long!” There was no way to win. I was so happy after I got into college and I could discover myself fully.
Now that I’m adult, married, and wanting my own kids, I want to be so careful on the words that I say. My husband is white so they will see the world in a completely different way. I worry about it sometimes, but I’m praying I can bring joy and uplift them in anyway they need. I loved your post I connect with it so much!
Thank you so much for sharing. I'm glad I'm not alone in this experience and it's always great to hear when others connect with the words I've shared. I'm certain you will bring joy and uplift your future children in anyway way they need too :-) xxx