Dear Pink,
I owe you an apology.
I am sorry to pastel pink.
I’m sorry that I thought that you were too gentle.
I’m sorry that I thought that you were too soft.
I’m sorry I thought your shade was created for baby blankets and baby showers.
I’m sorry that I thought your only purpose was for new life.
I’m sorry to hot pink.
I’m sorry that I thought you were tacky and stereotypical.
I’m sorry that I blamed you for the attention you caught.
I’m sorry that I thought you were being loud in all the wrong ways.
I’m sorry that I thought you were made to be looked at.
I’m sorry to rosy pink.
I’m sorry that I thought you were outdated.
I’m sorry that I thought you were too domestic.
I’m sorry I blamed you for an old women’s kindness and care.
I’m sorry that I thought your only purpose was to be comforting.
I’m sorry to the color pink.
I’m sorry for the assumptions I’ve had.
I’m sorry for the things I thought you would turn me into.
I’m sorry I blamed you for your diversity and flair.
I’m sorry I thought you were soft and weak.
I’m sorry I thought that was a bad thing.
I’m sorry I never wanted to be pink.
I never wanted to be associated with pink.
I did everything I could not to be pink.
Nothing about me could be pink.
Because I was not pink.
I’m sorry pink that I assumed you couldn’t be powerful.
Or outspoken and brave and courageous and strong.
I’m sorry I thought that you forced me into boxes.
I’m sorry that I thought you told me I had to be a silent partner.
Or a wife or mother or homemaker.
I’m sorry I didn’t think you could exist in the world we’re living in.
Pink, I’m sorry that I thought your only purpose was to serve others.
I’m sorry that I assumed being pink wasn’t acceptable.
I’m sorry I never thought you were good enough.
Pink, I’m sorry.
It’s taken me twenty-one years to realize that you are important.
I’ve shut you and your many shades out for years, and that’s not fair.
I’ve turned away from pink every time I’ve had the option of a different color.
Pink, I really am sorry.
It’s taken me twenty-one years to realize that you are a part of me.
To realize that you can be a part of my palette without being my only color.
To realize that I can be pink and green and blue and purple.
Pink, I’m really sorry I lived my whole life trying to erase you from me.
But I really hope we can start over.