What do I know about being black?

I know from history that when my mother married my stepfather when I was three years old, not too long before that, they wouldn’t have been allowed to marry. People of color for the longest time were not thought of or felt to be equal to others. Then somehow a light switch was turned on in the minds of many and much of that changed. However, still till this day there is opposition, especially, for other races of individuals coming from other countries. There remains resentment over the fight for homes, jobs and available funds and resources.

What still bothers me today is that many black women are still angry at black men for choosing women outside their race, and they are angrier at women who choose to marry outside their race. Honestly, that is such a turn-off for me from any race. You should end up with someone because they are who you find love, comfort and companionship with. Love is not to be dictated or forced. We are not living in the stone ages. Love has the same rights as every other battle we face. 

Black women have had so many battles before them from if and when they got to attend school, if they got to learn and read, where they could drink water, eat, sit on a bus or in a restaurant, where they could work, how they could work. Some of these fights were true for all women. Some of these fights were also shared with black men. All in all, women of color had more of a fight on their hands due to the combination of being women and of color. 

Personally, I chose to get involved in my local town government to fight for all that I believe in. I’ve been doing so in various capacities now for 20 years. One of the things I’m most proud of is my involvement in the League of Women Voters. Educating voters is one of the most important things we can do. Understanding that “your vote is your voice”. If you don’t vote, then you aren’t a part of the history that happens. 

In celebration of black history month, I have just purchased the book “The Untold Story of Women of Color in the League of Women Voters” by Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins. On Valentine’s Day 2020, the League of Women Voters celebrated its 100-year anniversary of its founding. I can’t wait to read this book, uncovering an unknown past under a different lens. My mind is both always open but even more hopeful that the world can and will change for the better. 

God wouldn’t have put us all here if he didn’t mean for us to be one. 

Take a moment to look back on your own lives and think of what you’ve read, learned, and seen relating to black people and what they have endured, how they have fought to succeed. Every race has its bad apples, but for the most part, we all want the same things, love, freedom, happiness, respect and family. 

I ask you to think of the one single black person who you admired most throughout your lifetime and what, if anything, they taught you. Feel free to write a comment on this post.