So my initial thoughts going to Africa were those of being so excited about going into a country where everyone generally looked somewhat like me. We’d all have melenated skin and kinky curly hair and basically in my mind I would just blend right in and we would basically be singing Kumbaiah in unison together. OH how was a wrong…. In the United States, Black Americans come in all different shades on the color spectrum, from very very pale light skin to skin the color of night. However, in Boake, Cote D’Ivoire, lighted skinned black people are an anomaly. So upon my surprise on multiple occasions, many native Nivorians thought I was a white women. Now hearing this come from multiple people I was very much appalled, not because there’s inherently anything wrong with being white but for the fact that I, myself am immensely proud of who I am as a Black women. My experiences of being black in America has partially shaped me into the person I am today. I take so much pride in rocking the natural afro that my ancestors for so long were oppressed for and flexing my brown skin that so many, myself included have been discriminated for. My culture and my people are something I take such pride in and realizing that such a huge part of me isn’t necessarily recognized here made me take a step back and wonder where this leaves me…
I took this time to ask God to show me the other parts of me that have and continue to shape me into the women that I am. While I obviously realize there is more to me than being a black American, these experiences have also shaped a huge part of who I am. When I went before The Creator, he reminded me how I am more than just a physical body, but a spirit that is eternal and infinite and not confined to a temporary body. He then began to bring me to a painting that left me with half of me as how I know myself and the other half missing with lots of questions within its entity. It became apparent that 2018 for me is a year of discovering and seeking. Seeking the deep parts of my heart that are hidden from this superficial world and discovering who The Creator intended me to be. While I continue this adventure of a lifetime and discovering the most beautiful people and places in the world I pray The Creator reveals to me in the smallest of moments who he wants me to be and for him to do the same to everyone who reads this blog post.
Peace and Blessings,
K.L.M.
