Lately, I've been feeling as though there has been a negative light that has somehow been shed on the African American community. So I gathered a group of African American men and women, and asked them to explain to me: Why the loved their skin, their culture, or even their men... and that's when the magic happened.
Oftentimes, I can't help but imagine what God was thinking when he created me out of the soil and dust. I'd like to think that he added a little extra "special" just for my skin. The skin I'm in represents endearment; from the days of Egypt, it remains true. Though seen from a naked eye my pigment may appear as an anomaly or esoteric. However, my skin deserves to be venerated. It represents power; I am powerful. To be draped with the scent of nature's perfume and covered by the warmth of the sun, I am thankful. The lips I wear speak life and are full of hope. The hair I carry coils its way through the tribulations of life's hardships yet brings desire. My roots constitute every shade and every boy or girl comprised under one being that is love. The skin I am in represents love. I am beautiful; I am love. So, here's to the oil empires and melanin kings and queens, you are nothing less than the pure earth's perfection!
-Blessing
It wasn’t until I moved to the United States that I became conscious of my skin tone. Growing up in Nigeria, I was never really aware of it how dark-skinned I was. Generally grew up loving my dark complexion even when I knew and recognized the facts that there were different variations of skin tones in my family and community. As of today, hearing people say no one wants them because they are dark skin still baffles me, but we are really not going to get into this. I love my skin because my God gifted me with it and I’m happy and satisfied with it. I have skin problems like acne and facial scars because of food allergies, but overall I love the way my skin glisten and glows in the sun; that melanin, that sweet chocolate dark. I honestly think growing up in Nigeria thought me to appreciate and care for my skin better. That’s one of the reasons why I love my Nigerian culture, the food, the dances; the people are always generally so jovial, ambitious and well traveled. There’s a funny saying that says “If you travel somewhere and there isn’t a single Nigerian there, you shouldn’t stay there very long because that place isn’t very fruitful.” Generally, Nigerians are hard works and survivors.
- Ifeoluwa Ojo
If He offered to start all over, I'd ask him to make me EXACTLY the same. I love who God made me...inside and out, up and down, round and around. I love me, from the superficial external layering to the depths of my intrinsic core. I am me which makes me...me. I am a black man and even though race and the pigment of my skin does not define who I am, being black means so much to me. I understand that I am a descendant of a people who were taken from their families and their homeland, beaten, raped, murdered, and enslaved for centuries and centuries. I understand that I am a descendant of a people who were denied an education, brainwashed, mistreated, disrespected, sold like commodities,and represented as three fifths of a human being. I understand that I am a descendant of a great continent where we were Sultans and Kings, builders of civilization, and conquistadors from the east to the west. The foundation of my birth is deeply rooted in triumph not despair and I intend on perpetuating excellence just as my ancestors did. I am proud to say that I am a black man. -Will York III
Black Woman you are She, royal heiress of a beauty unlike any other to have ever come into existence. She, who emerges as a diamond in the rough, under any amount of pressure, time and time and time again. She, who is painted in all colors and shades. She, the very backbone of our society who I hope and pray I'll be worthy enough to be given the opportunity to find and share a special kind of love with, create a legacy with, conquer this world with. She, of such elegant grace and angelic peace. Black Woman, of never-ending inspiration and endurance. God sowed a seed He had never put so much time, care, love, and effort towards and you, Black Woman, super-woman is what this Earth reaped because of that seed. Black Woman, you are surpassed by no one. There ain't nothing like a rich, sweet, dark glass of hot chocolate to getcha mind right! Black is beautiful, so, therefore, beautiful, is you, Nubian Queen! Without you, we are nothing, this world is nothing. So rise, from the very black ashes, the dirt, the dust, from which God extracted your divine essence and claim your throne. So that actual eyes can actualize the black magic engrained within your spirit and your Soul! You are extraordinarily eminent and your value is incomparable! Yes, you, Queen. you! Beyond every shadow of a doubt. You always have been, and you always will be.
Some of us feel as if we've been cursed with this skin... Peep everything that we were taught that we must go through in order to be respected by those who will never respect us. Now my only concern is to be respected by my own people. My concern is to spread the lost magic that is within all related people. My concern is to shine my Lite at an all time bright, no matter who it blinds. -@liteofmind
We are magic, and I knew that my words alone wouldn't shed enough light on the magic we are as a race, I'm so grateful that I could get others to share my vision, now let's convince the world of our royalties as well.
