… She opened up and explained to me that as a black woman she has too often been described in her life as cool or brave or strong; she has more often experienced compliments that are masculinizing. She shared with me that her hair is like an object to people: different, trendy, or interesting. What she wants though as a woman, is to be embraced with adjectives such as beautiful, stunning, and pretty.
White people, she told me, always get those kinds of compliments. Black people … get strong.
In that moment held between the two of us, I leaned into her story and I empathized deeply with her words. It was something that in my privilege I had been completely naïve about. It took asking questions and listening, despite my pride.
And at that table, I looked at my friend and I apologized:
I am sorry. I am sorry that my words put you back in that same place that you have been rising up out of. I am sorry that my words belittled your beauty. I am sorry for my ignorance within my privilege. I am sorry for your pain. …
[ I am overjoyed to guest write over at SheLovesMagazine today! READ THE REST HERE ]
– Jenny Rose Foster
Jenny Rose Foster 