For most of my life, I’ve struggled with the way I look. I remember sitting in my parent’s bedroom as a child, on their bed, crying and asking, begging God to do a miracle and make my skin lighter.
When I woke up the next morning and looked in the mirror I was angry, sad and irritated. God knew the pain I experienced because of my chocolate, melanin-rich, sun-kissed skin. He made me this way and saw the way people teased me, called me ugly and how awkward I felt. He made me this way and He refused to change it.
I didn’t understand it and I refused to accept it. I grew up in a predominately white neighborhood, and at the time there were only one or two Black families around (including mine). Continue reading “10 Words to Affirm Self-Love” →