Mel·a·nin
/ˈmelənən/
noun
A dark brown to black pigment occurring in the hair, skin, and iris of the eye in people and animals. It is responsible for tanning of skin exposed to sunlight.

Mel·a·nin
/ˈmelənən/
concept
An indicator of a threat. Ironic how every living being contains some form of it. And yet somehow, it's the very thing that separates the world.

Mel·a·nin
/ˈmelənən/
disgrace
I grew up with the notion that less was more. Lighter, lighter I had to be. The sun was ugly. I was ugly. This was a notion drilled into my skull.

Mel·a·nin
/ˈmelənən/
doubt
How is it that the very makes of my skin differentiate me from everyone and anyone in the world? How it can unify me with some, but not others? Why not all?

Mel·a·nin
/ˈmelənən/
question
I find myself questioning over and over again how this could truly be a bad thing. Was I ashamed, or was I taught to be ashamed? My aunties glare at me.

Mel·a·nin
/ˈmelənən/
acceptance?
Perhaps this was the truth. "Mother knows best" does she not? My brown skin frowned at me as I frowned in return. This skin of mine, this body, was not right. Right?

Mel·a·nin
/ˈmelənən/
denial
The minute you begin to question is the minute everything you know begins to fall apart. Let the chaos fall as the truth shall rise thereafter.

Mel·a·nin
/ˈmelənən/
practice
I educated myself on the principles of self-acceptance, worth, and love. I found myself unlearning everything I knew and relearning everything I needed to know.

Mel·a·nin
/ˈmelənən/
acceptance
I wear it as an adornment. A blessing in disguise this entire time. The richness sets me ablaze as I learn to fall in love over and over again.

Mel·a·nin
/ˈmelənən/
blessing
I have become deaf to those who think otherwise. I raise those who doubt their own up to the sky, the sun, and let them bask in the beauty of its beams. The fears are not so scary anymore.

Mel·a·nin
/ˈmelənən/
equality
Or so I'd like the world to believe.