Blessed to be Black
To be Black is a blessing. Always a blessing.
Never a curse. Never will I despise God for painting my skin a cool caramel tone. Never have I, nor will I, ever wish my Blackness away.
Black skin is oh so beautiful. Every shade, from the lightest of light to the darkest of dark, is dripping with diamonds and gold.
Black hair is regal. Natural crowns placed upon our heads by God. I comb and brush my kinky tresses, but never tame them. They were met to be free, reaching for the sun like my ancestors on the slave ships grasping at light between the wooden boards of the main deck.
Black culture is rich. Why else would others emulate it? Rich with laughter, rich with joy, rich with love. It is why we never age. It is how we grow fruit to nourish future generations. How else could we have survived this long?
My Blackness is the greatest gift I could ever receive. Thank you, God, for adorning my being with Black skin, Black hair, Black culture. Thank you for creating me in the likeness of my ancestors. I cannot fathom a more perfect lineage.
Photo taken by Jerris Franklin
