Let’s Talk About Sex!
By Rochelle Ford
Imagine an elementary-aged little girl named Anaya. Anaya
was a beautiful, sweet, caramel-colored, African American girl.
She was a smart, funny, energetic young person who was a
leader even in her early years. She had the gift of effortlessly
attracting people to her and easily made friends wherever she
went. She was also a natural born athlete, who ran like the wind
with long jet black curly afro puffs that blew like wishes in the
breeze as she soared through life’s playground. Anaya was the
older sibling of two children, who came from a loving two-parent household and
was always surrounded by family. She performed well in school, enjoyed helping
others and loved those around her with her whole heart. Even though she was
only a child, you would have every reason to believe that she would grow up to
be a beautiful strong young woman inside and out and would do very well in
life. It appeared that the fundamental odds were stacked in her favor. Ayana’s
parents were doing their best and did everything they knew to do to set her up
for success.
But who knew that one afternoon at a family dinner she would be questioned
by an older male uncle in a quiet little room in the back of her grandma’s
house. In the company of her favorite auntie, this uncle asked this little girl, in a
way that was too casual to cause any alarm, if she knew what sex was. In the
early 70’s, at only 6 years old, Anaya, considered bright for her age, had never
even heard the word “sex.” Looking for help answering the question, she ran
and jumped into her aunt’s lap -- seeking the appropriate response. Her aunt
quickly wrapped her arms around her and whispered a response in her ears.
Ayana thought she had the answer. Boastfully, she shouted to her uncle, “You
aren’t smarter than me!” she said. “I know what sex is! It is apples and oranges!”
Both her aunt and uncle exploded in profuse laughter. They, of course, knew she
was dead wrong. But in her naivety, Anaya thought they were happy and
proud of her because she was so smart. Since her aunt, whom she trusted
wholeheartedly had given her the answer, she knew she was right and no one
could have told her otherwise. As she 6