Warning: Adult language ahead.

 

Today I turned down the Peace Corps.
And then I watched this 20 minute video that we all need to see
about the realities of the mixed up hearts and heads
of individuals who walk next to us in crowds of people.
Or stand in front of us at the grocery store.

And then I had a little black baby who I love
tell me he wanted white people hair and hands.
And I watched my boss hold those hands and tell him they were
perfect, beautiful
helping hands.

I cried.

My heart is broken for what’s in front of us
and what’s behind us.
And for the fear we’re standing in
that’s apparently thick enough
to make a child think he needs to change who he is
to feel important.

Or worth a damn.
Or beautiful.
Or smart .
Or powerful.
Or on some sort of twisted road to success.

Fuck that.

Now more than ever
you don’t need to get on a plane to make a difference.

Take that trip to Africa or Central America or where ever
but then get home
and go find someone who doesn’t look like you in your own damn neighborhood.
And get to know them.
Realize they are beautiful
and kind
and worthy
of all the things some people have decided skin color
or wallets
and religion can make you unworthy of.

These children come out of the womb deserving.
It’s our problem
and our nightmare
that they would entertain being anything but exactly who they are.

So for them
or for you,
open your eyes
and your hearts
and your arms
and for God’s sake your hands.
If they speak anything other than
helping
it’s okay to make quiet adjustments.
Or better yet
loud fucking fast ones.

Because you’ve got hurting hands.
And the world needs no more of
those.

 

Author: Chelsey Reardon
Image: YouTube; elephant journal 
Editor: Emily Bartran
Copy Editor: Lieselle Davidson
Social Editor: Khara-Jade Warren