by me.
written today. in response. originally posted on my facebook wall.
To my future children:
I hope as you grow you feel valued. I hope you feel alive. I hope you feel safe. I hope you feel protected. I hope you feel loved. I hope you feel equal to those around you.
I hope you do not experience the daily reminders that I do—the ones that remind me that I am a black woman and, as such, am sometimes deemed dumb, ugly, worthless, useless, asexual, too sexual, criminal by others.
I hope you do not experience the daily reminders that I do — the ones that remind me there are people in this world who believe they know me and my story solely because of the color of my skin.
I hope you do not experience the daily reminders that I do — the ones in my belly, that make me sick, because they come after being reminded that me and my loved ones, my lovely brown-skinned ones, may not be as safe, protected, or valued as we should be.
I hope you feel loved.
I hope I love you enough.
I hope you learn to love yourself enough to shine brightly despite the darker moments.