The more she talked the sadder I became. As I heard her say most of my family feels this way except for my mom. "My mom taught me to love everybody." She  said. I told her so did mine. I thought she was brave to share all that she had with me, but I wandered how many more of our participants had the same issues. Then I was reminded how important talking about the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King this week is. I am so sick of talking about racism, but tonight we both agreed with our mothers, God is love and we should love everyone!  

So to know that people who don't even know me hate me because of the color of my skin is my reality. However, this reality does not make me feel any less important. I love the color of my skin. I can't help that stereotypes help allow others to look down on me.  No, I am not the stereotype of the angry black woman, because I am naturally quiet but when I do speak, I speak my mind. That's not anger, that's confidence. I am not only confident, but I am strong. I have great reasons to be confident and strong. Not only am I the seed of Abraham, but I also am the seed of slaves who endured captivity,  a treacherous boat ride, ridicule and shame, yet my ancestors survived. I am the seed of a grandfather who although was hated in this country for being a person of color, still had enough dignity to go to another country who hated him even more and defend this country and its citizens of all races. I am so sick of talking about racism, but if I never talk about it how can I help others to better understand.

Originally published on DOOR's blog.