The Blacker The Berry, The Sweeter The Juice…

I Absolutely Love the skin I’m in! I’m considered to be a dark--skinned black woman. Back in the late 80’s through the early 90’s-in my childhood and adolescence, being dark-skinned was not thought of as a good thing, however. At times, even made out to be a terrible horrible thing. I suffered from racial hatred -tainted by people of my own race. I was called many names such as ‘’Darkie” and my personal favorite “a chip off the Old Black”.... Though the words ticked me off at times, I never internalized them, thanks to my beautiful dark-skinned Mama. My Mama built me up so well just by saying things to me in daily life- including “You are Beautiful!” ... and the ever popular “Well, you know what’s they say... The Blacker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice!” And I believed it. That slogan always had a nice ring to it. So when a bully tried to get slick with the ‘complexion rejection’... I was well equipped with a quick retort! Somewhere along the line of growing up , that chip turned chocolate . I wouldn’t change a thing looking back either. This day in age , there are songs, websites, and even motion pictures geared towards admiring and praising this type of dark-brown skin I’m wearing ... And to think, it was so effortless. It was actually a BIRTHDAY GIFT! Shout out to God... and you guessed it- My Mama!