The black skin I live in

The color of our skin is as sweet as berries; from the lightest to the darkest. Black History Month is the month of empowering our brothers and sisters to embrace themselves for who they are. It is the month of educating others about “black culture,” all the way from our hair to the jazz that falls out of our mouth.  For me, this is the most important month because every African American can express who they are and not be ashamed of what and where they came from. I believe that everyone should know about black history because it will give each person a chance to see why African Americans strive to be better, and they’ll learn about all that our ancestors had to endure so we could be free.

As a black female, I had to learn how to embrace my hair and my culture. I always thought having straight hair was the best, but then when I learned more, I began to love my curly, coiled hair.  When I was younger, I was even bullied for simply being black – from the way I was shaped to having a “big butt.” Going through that was heart-breaking; I used to go home and tell my parents, and they would always comfort me and tell me, “Taliesha, sooner or later you’re gonna have to embrace who you are and love who you are.” Still to this day, those words always run through my mind. Now, since I’ve learned to love myself for who I am, nobody can try to throw rocks at me and bring me down. I now possess confidence, high self-esteem and a love for myself. Just because I am black does not mean I am lower than any other culture out here in the world. We as Black men and woman have to know that we are kings and queens. Black History Month helps lift me up and helps me realize that we are the history.