How difficult is it to stay in your own skin? How costly can one’s colour be? Take colour out of the equation, and things become drastically different.
A friend once said to me, “I know what colour not to come in if I had to choose how I turn up in the World again. It is too costly to come back as a Black person. I want to enjoy some privilege!” How sad! Can you stay in your skin colour?
“The USA is one of the most dangerous countries to live in if you’re black.” This was another categorical statement in response to the shooting of the 16-year-old black boy, Ralph Yarl, by the 84-year-old white man, Andrew Lester, in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, on April 13th 2023. His crime was knocking on the wrong door to pick up his sibling. A grave mistake nearly cost him his life, shot twice. Thank God he survived! What a relief! A narrow escape, one lucky child and family… We hope that he and his family will manage through this surreal incident and the corresponding trauma. Best wishes to Ralph and family for a quick recovery.
Another person said, “I went on holiday to the States to see my family, each time I went out, I kept feeling like someone was going to pull out their gun and shoot me just because I am black”
Well, ok, arguably, it is not that bad yet, but these are the feelings of some Black people, regardless.
Me, what do I think?
First and foremost, I think that Black lives are vulnerable not just in the US but here in the UK, Europe and the Western continent, etc. The hatred springing from racism is profound, deep-seated and widespread, both individual and institutional, predictable and unpredictable…. It is a daily struggle; however, Black people must remain proud of who they are. Privilege at the expense of vulnerable and disadvantaged people or communities is not to be celebrated. Stay in your skin.
Racism is a poison that runs through the bones… It is a huge societal enigma. The question is, can humanitarianism be forced? Can fairness and equity be forced? When will there be a move from mediocrity to genuine actions to tackle power imbalance, hate and racism?
How costly can one’s colour be?
Thank God Ralph Yarl survived! What a relief! Narrow escape, one lucky child. We hope & pray that he & his family will pull through this surreal incident and the corresponding trauma. Best wishes to Ralph & family. #RalphYarl