Loving and accepting who you truly are

    Being part of something that is also a part of you, your family and a culture that you're still discovering is one of the best feelings in the entire world. Being part of the african american culture is learning more and more about myself each and every single day and loving who I am because of it. 

    I've learned that it's okay to treat others with love and kindness even when all they want to do is judge and disrespect you because of the color of your skin instead of judging you based on who you actually are a person. In middle school, someone in my grade told me that black people aren't real people. They weren't when they were slaves back in the day and nothing has changed. After he told me that, all I remember was being upset and pretty mad. I might only be part black but I am definitely a huge part of this amazing culture and everything that it has to offer me. 

    Recently, someone that I used to see quite frequently said to me, "you're ONLY part black so none of the BLM or black culture criticism applies to you". There were three things that happened that same day; 1 I told her that even though I am only part black, I fully accept the black culture into my life and it has made me into everything that I am today, 2 I got really pissed off and started learning what some of the older african american leaders would do if they were in my place and I learned that I needed to be the better individual and rise above and never let anyone say that to me ever again and 3 I stopped inviting her over and talking to her regularly so I pretty much cut her out of my life as much as possible and instead decided to surround myself with people that won't try to condemn me for loving myself and my culture. 

    My sweet husband has embraced the african american culture and has made sure to help me with making our home a place of love and comfort to all of our friends and family. We have hung pictures and decorated our home to celebrate both parts of us. I'm lucky and grateful to have such a wonderful partner that is so accepting and loving of who I truly and completely am.