The Violet Diaries- Entry #2 She Is So Black

Recess was quiet that day. Kids were sitting, or socializing in small friend groups scattered around the playground talking, sitting, or standing amongst each other. It wasn't the usual loud laughter, running and playing, or climbing monkey bars and sliding down slides type of recess. Just quiet. I wasn't paying attention to anyone else; I was too busy having fun by myself.

Then I heard two girls talking. "She is black" and "she is so black." I looked up, they were staring right at me... with looks of disgust. Almost shocked by how dark my skin complexion was. I hadn't spoken to them; I hadn't done anything to these girls. I was just another little girl enjoying recess. I remember walking away to stand under some shade because somewhere in my 6- or 7-year-old mind I thought if I stood in some shade, it would change my skin just a shade lighter. It didn't... but something else changed that day.

That was the day I stopped seeing my skin through my own eyes and started seeing it through the opinions of other people. I never had a problem with my darker skin complexion until people started making fun of it. I didn't know it then, but those few words on the playground wouldn't stay there. They'd follow me into classrooms, mirrors, friendships, and years of my life that I haven't even lived yet. Stay tuned

Until next time, xoxo -Purple Diamond.