[Valerie]

I can understand where you're coming from. It's clear to me that our society as a whole places more value on lighter/whiter skin. It seems like this myth of lighter being better is reinforced at all levels and in all aspects of our society. And trust me, that is one hell of a myth, one that's been dividing people for generations. So, I can't fault you for your feelings. As a lighter-skinned woman (and I speak only for myself), I think the thing I would want you to understand about me is that that myth hurts me just as much as you. It pits us against each other and builds resentments that we really don't need to have added onto our already complicated lives. Growing up wasn't easy for me, either. My family was one of the only families of color where I grew up. And while the racism I felt from the white people in my town hurt me in so many ways, the colorism I felt from my own people nearly tore me apart. It felt like I was too black to be accepted into white society, and too white to be completely accepted by all of black society. And as a child I wasn't sure where that left me. It took a while for me to reach a place where I learned to accept myself for who I am and love me for me. And I think now that I've grown, I can understand how resentments like those can build up. It's an understanding that goes a long way in giving me the fuel I need to continually work to break down the barriers we create among one another.

User Detail :  

Name : Valerie, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, City : Boston, State : MA Country : United States, Occupation : Fundraising/Development, Education level : 4 Years of College, 

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