Dear young Black women,
I am dedicating this letter to you because you are in the process of trying to blossom. As you’re trying to flourish, many people in the world around you will try to give you limits, trying to keep you at a level in life that will make you appear of lesser value to the world.
In the world we live in, you will have people that try to devalue you. I need you to know that you are valuable beyond measure.
Know that the melanin in your skin no matter how deep or fair, is beautiful. Please ignore the ignorance that I know you will encounter because of the color of your skin.
You will see hateful, hurtful comments about the shade of your skin, how “all black women” act, and several other inaccurate comments from a never-ending parade of stupidity.
I regret to inform you that many of these comments will come from people, particularly the men of your own race, which will sting the most. You will witness black women putting each other down in attempt to make themselves feel better about their own deep insecurities. Don’t be one of these women.
I am not writing this letter to hurt you, but to attempt to prepare you for the ugly truth, so you won’t fall victim to the society’s miseducation of the black woman.
The small box that society tries to put us all in, as if we aren’t individuals, can be extremely damaging to those who are not aware.
Unfortunately, many black women have fallen victim to the picture society has tried to paint of us because some black women have only been exposed to the stereotypes of us, thinking that is how black women are supposed to be and the only way we can be.
It is important that you grow tough skin, to find comfort in. Although there are more people who love us in the world, than those who don’t; although it’s comforting to feel the love and support from others, you must love yourself first.
You will never find peace seeking validation from others, even from individuals who love you. Validate yourself.
The only way to protect yourself from falling victim to the society’s miseducation of the black woman is to be aware of it, to choose to rise above it and knowing the value you bring to the world.
Use the rain that society will try to drown you in to flourish and blossom into the woman you have, and always have had the potential to be.
Sincerely,
A Black woman who is still blooming