As we celebrate the love month, the health month, and the month we recognize some of the greatest black history makers, I celebrate the month God blessed me with two daughters. I write this letter to my daughters as a reminder that you are the greatest gift bestowed to my history. You are my Black History.
Girls, beauty comes in all shapes, hues, and heights. Celebrate the complexion of your skin. People sit in the sun just to get your brown hue. Embrace your height; it’s the frame God gave you through the DNA of your ancestors. Whether you braid it, straighten it, fro it, your long brown kinky hair is your crown of glory.
You learned early, life sometimes doles out hands that you don’t expect but have to deal with. When you have that family member that’s special, their needs are different from what society says is normal, don’t be embarrassed. Their uniqueness has a place in the world, along with everyone else.
Daughters, embrace your quest for knowledge. The ability to read is one of the most powerful tools you will ever have in life. Whether you’re 5 or 95 years of age, reading will take you places money never will. Reading will help you uncover truths, especially in your history, so many are trying to hide.
Challenge yourself to grow and continue to increase your learning. The world will always challenge you in ways you will question why. Know your worth. Your worth is not always measured in dollars. When those challenges come, they will come when you least expect them. Stand with confidence in your truth. Stand with knowledge. Stand with humbleness in your decisions. Stand.
You will learn the best and worst of people because you are put in different situations outside your norm. That is called growth.
Learning is a part of getting to the next level of your expectations. There is always someone that knows a little more than you. It doesn’t mean they are any better or worse. They just happen to know more than you.
Ladies, your voice matters. Use your voice not just to tell a story. Use it at the polls to vote. Long after the passing of the 1964 civil rights act, your right to vote is still a contention that some are trying to take from you simply because of the color of your skin. Never doubt your ability to make a difference and change things with a simple act of voting.
In the workplace, your ideas are as good as your co-workers. Feeling you don’t belong professionally or even academically is what others may want you to believe. Take a minute to praise yourself. Reaffirm your accomplishments. Go after what you want.
Your grandmother would always say, “have your own nest egg safely stored away.” As women, always be in control of your money. Never spend more than you make. Don’t dress to impress people you don’t like.
Black girl magic is real. Keep your friends close. They are the ones you share intimate experiences with. Be that graceful, honest, trustworthy confidant. Also, know that it’s okay to let toxic friends go.
Let your heart love and be loved.
Girls, you’ve been blessed with some good DNA, but you still have to take care of your health. Black women statistically are plagued with higher incidences of health conditions such as heart disease and breast cancer. Eat healthier. Don’t worry about messing up your hair when you exercise. Replacing your hair is much cheaper than replacing your heart.
Always know, you are my greatest history. You are my Black History.
The Traveler Weekly 