Young Black Girl,
YOU ARE ENOUGH. The world may tell you you’re not, but I promise you are. The color of your skin is a gift! You deserve to celebrate every milestone and achievement in your life because many in your position have not made it this far. Fill your life with unapologetically black things- music, art, movies, people, books, spaces, etc. You deserve it all.
Embrace your kinky, curly hair. Yes, it is hard to manage BUT it is beautiful. So what if you want to wear a wig one day, braids the next then switch it up with a headwrap. People may question what your “real” hair looks like or ask if you cut it when it’s just shrinkage (#shrinkageisreal). Be boldly you. Your hair is never too distracting, that’s how it grows out of your head!
You can aspire to be whatever you want to be in this world and change your mind 1,000 times along the way. There is no limit to what you can do. You should always aspire to be honest with yourself and who you are. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not black enough or you don’t belong. Sometimes you may even hear this from people with the same skin as you. Being black is not one size fits all. You are in the spaces you’re in for a reason and you should leave your mark. Don’t be afraid to use your voice. Yes, it may be difficult and feel scary, but our ancestors fought too hard for us to be silent. Especially when black bodies are still being killed. Call out your white and non-black friends/acquaintances when they are blatantly being disrespectful.
Use your life to inspire others that look like you. Sometimes you may be the only one at work. That will be hard, but some black girl somewhere is looking up to you. Find your tribe that loves everything about you flaws and all. You can fall back on them when you feel no one else understands. Listen to Brown Skin Girl by Beyoncé on repeat and blast trap music *cues Knuck If You Buck*. It’s all about balance. Intentionally pour into yourself because at the end of the day that’s all you have to fall back on. You can never pour from an empty cup.
Love,
A Young Black Woman
