Writers Block
Voice of the People
America ’ s DARKEST PARTS
By : Nicole Bettis ( Quillpensoul )
First impressions are lasting impressions , agreed ? I mean , we all try to make sure that we look our best when we are going out . On occasion , we [ woman ] even take special care to cover any blemishes or dark spots on our faces with makeup . I believe subconsciously we all know that , what catches the eye first is important . Actually , it seems like , kind of a big deal . Take a moment if you will , and think back … what was your first impression of the last black woman you came across , that you didn ’ t already know ? Maybe , ( 2016 ) you thought she had nice nails or a fly hair style ; maybe not , but one thing that is for sure , and that ’ s you saw her darkness .
For years , I received “ compliments ” about how pretty I was for a “ darkskin ” girl . People told me that , I looked Middle Eastern or Native American ( I had Dark and Lovely on deck at the time ) and the sad part is , I believed this to be true . I didn ’ t want my roots to show . I ’ ve always thought of myself as the low woman on the totem pole anyway-- white man , white woman , black man , and then black woman . That ’ s just what it was , more like an unwritten rule that everyone in house knows and doesn ’ t talk about , you know ?
For centuries , we [ African Americans ] have been made to feel like a dark , stain on Americas perfect past , one that should be covered and dismissed at any cost . I know that sounds a bit extreme but , come on , almost every word “ dark ” word in the English language , has a negative ( cynical , depressed , wicked , or just , plain ole ’ bad connotation ). * literally taught from infancy that black is bad ; and the plot thickens , as we try to unlearn and relearn — we are literally thinking in
a constant state of contradiction . Yet , we continue to persevere .
We are lawyers , doctors , artist , political officials ; we find ways to make life happen anyway . I realize that society has accepted this to an extent but , we will just continue to be a reminder ( through action ); we must , until white people aren ’ t happy for other people ’ s successes , even though they are black , and until people of color aren ’ t happy for others just because of their blackness . Don ’ t highlight our short comings and downfalls . Celebrate our successes and acknowledge our resilience .
Try to keep in mind that , despite the heartbreaking fact that society belatedly refuses to accept the irrefutable fact that , people of color — dark people , have suffered tremendously . We have not only endured 400 + years of enslavement ; we are now living / coping with the psychological effects of being oppressed . I am not victimizing myself or my people , however , I will [ say the simple truth ; even if the whole world thinks it ’ s a lie …], be a voice .
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter .
Martin Luther King , Jr .
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