WITH LOVE AND APPRECIATION...

Recently I've been having lots of interesting conversations with people, mainly black people, regarding race and appreciation of culture.

It's interesting to see how many people actually have a love for who they are...and unsettling to see a lot of people who don't.

It all began when my boyfriend and I started discussing how he is one of the few men he knows that would date strictly inside of his race and actually has an admiration for Black women. It never really occurred to me how important it is for your mate to love you in complete totality. Meaning, not just for who you are as a person (your personality, quirks, likes and dislikes), but also having appreciation for you and your culture. I love and appreciate the fact that my man loves me not only for what I have to offer as a woman but what I bring to the table as a strong black woman.

He loves my complexion, my full lips, my big black nose (yes i said it!) and of course this Afro on top of my head lol. I couldn't imagine being with someone who couldn't respect and love these God given characteristics. It made me realize how much i love being black... it's hard being black, but it's something I would never trade in for anything else. Being Black is special and I wish most Black people, African Americans could say the same thing.

Being Black is a gift. Even though we as a people are broken, with a lot of repairing to do on all levels, we also have a lot to be proud of. There is something to be said about a people who survived being torn from their land, lived through the nearly unbearable voyage of the middle passage; only to be sold into cruel and oppressive slavery where their culture, families, and identity were destroyed. Still, through all of that, Black people persevered. They became doctors, lawyers, civil rights activists, presidents and continued to achieve in the field of the arts.

It's a true shame that when people think of black history the story begins and ends with slavery and civil rights. It is with this that I have taken it upon myself to learn more about my heritage which in turn will help me to learn more about myself and my people. I've thrown myself into African literature and history, hoping to become as knowledgeable as I possibly can, so that when I have this conversation again; I may not rant to those that are ignorant but instead educate those that are ignorant.

"For Africa to me... is more than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place."
Maya Angelou