The Complexion of my Skin

Last night I was with my people. We were celebrating Oronde's sister's Graduate School graduation. Talk about being in heaven. I was surrounded by successful Caribbean people listening to soca and calypso while slurping up macaroni pie and channa. There is something about being around other Caribbean people that warms my heart and brings me home. It is the one time I feel like I am fully in my skin and myself. I am sure other people can relate in the same way when they visit their home countries or research their biological roots. It makes you grounded and brings you to your plot of earth.

In between dancing, drinking, and laughing, we got into a conversation about skin complexion. I was told I was light skinned. Not just by dark skinned people, but by a girl, who is extremely light skinned. This was news to my ears. I am still in shock as I write this.

Why does it matter? It matters because if I had been born during slavery I would have been working inside of the house. If I am driving, a cop will sooner let me off the hook than a darker African American. If I am going for a job I am more appealing to the eye in comparison to a blue black Afrikan. Knowing your complexion as an African American puts you in a very different mind set because race has always placed the human race (in particularly us) in different categories.

I even asked my parents this morning if they new I was light-skinned and they said, "Yes, of course you are." My father laughed at my lack of knowledge. I have truly never known. This is something else. Oh well, at least I know now.

Perfect Days

Here are some perfect situations that everyone should commit themselves to at least once per week. I have done all of them except #4. I can tell you that the other three made me just appreciate being in the world. So indulge and enjoy.

1. Lie in bed with your laptop and a book until 1:30pm without talking. Only get up for food and the bathroom.

2. Push your regular sweat-inducing exercise to the side and do 30minutes of yoga as your TOTAL exercise for the day.

3. Lay outside in the sun for at least 20min.

4. Have a conversation with a loved one and look them in the eye and listen without worrying about the things you need to complete for the day.