Black folks like to pick on each other.
Maybe it began as an alternative to eating our young,this hyper criticism that we display. We beat them up to supposedly prepare them for a world that won’t appreciate them. We are hazed into adulthood, literally and figuratively.
Our weight, or looks, our smarts and our personalities are all fodder for the amusement of the general culture. I once got teased by an uncle for crying at a funeral (I can’t make this ish up). That’s all good if you want to be the stereotypical girlfriend type black chick, all I’m wondering is if there is another world in which it is ok to be sensitive bookish and black. I’m asking because I may need to move there.
I’m a sensitive girl in a culture that promotes being strong, hard, cold. I’m a sensitive girl who grew up in a culture where playing the dozens and snapping and roasting people is popular. The culture isn’t necessarily always wrong, it just is what it is. Sometimes though? It gets old. Strength isn’t always in the snappy comeback. Sometimes strength is being able to say the right thing at the right time. Sometimes strength is being able to cry so your tears don’t stagnate within and make you bitter.
I don’t have the answers here. Sensitive people, talk to me! Is there a place for blackness and sensitive natures to co-exist?
Until next time,
Ren
The only place I found for being black AND sensitive is in my bathroom tub with some ice cream.
AMEN! Ice cream and a nice warm bath is always the cure.
I agree the only place to truly be black and sensitive is by yourself when no one is watching.
[…] I have to admit, over the past seven years, I’ve learned to be better. I’ve learned to manage my time, and let go of shame. Also, I have learned to stop suppressing my emotions, and learned how to manage hypersensitivity. […]
Girl, you said something here! Especially getting messed with crying…that was my family, too. We didn’t cry, we didn’t show that our feelings were hurt. It was more
acceptable to show anger than to show hurt. Being sensitive and Black is difficult. You’re considered weak, and you know what? That’s okay, because ironically, we are the strongest. Think Aesop’s fable “The Reed and the Oak Tree”.