Beautiful Skin

By Daniela Ramos

This piece is meant to call attention to racial problems that exist in the United States and beyond. Just because people’s experiences might be different doesn’t mean that they aren’t cut from the same cloth.

Your mind shields the beauty of your dark skin from your eyes
Instead of seeing your skin as sweet as milk chocolate you see it as dirt
Just wishing you could dust it off
The fear of being black.
You read books like The Invisible Man with astonishment
Shocked that black people could be pushed to fight with other brothers back in the day and for what?
For brass coins, placed for you to get in an electrified rug.
 
But the thought that enters your mind first
That could never be me... not now and not in the past
You could never be stopped by the police for the color of your skin.
You think you’re different because you’ve never had the conversation of “this is what you do if you have an encounter with the police... this is how you talk... this is how you breathe”
The fear of being black...
Those times will come soon, when you turn 16.
You’re no different.
Actually no... maybe in one thing... in that you are not proud of the color of your skin.
 
Our color says a lot about us and the people before us.
We are descendants of patience, bravery and greatness.
Why would you deny that those three great qualities are in your blood?
The fear of being black is no longer inside your thoughts and it is not one of your problems to worry about.
Your biggest problem now is finding who you are.
 
What is the definition of natural?
Discontinuing payment to someone who is willing to let you lose your curls and damage your hair.
No longer hiding your curly and frizzy hair from the world
Losing the foundation that’s three shades lighter than your actual skin color because you finally see the beauty in your skin.
Your beautiful dark skin.