A few years ago I was in the backyard of a dear friend chatting while on a playdate. Our daughters both four at the time, were sitting nearby at a table enjoying a snack. Suddenly her daughter asked mine why her skin was brown and a different color from hers. This sudden turn in conversation piqued my interest immediately, but I did not see a need to interject.
Without skipping a beat my daughter said, “because I like peanut butter sandwiches.” Her daughter responded that she liked peanut butter sandwiches too, My daughter then responded “Yes but you like to play outside a lot so your skin is more like the sun.” “I do like to play outside a lot,” her daughter said, then they both giggled and commenced enjoying their snacks.
Just like that, the conversation was over as quickly as it had begun. I sat in amusement, happy that the “aftermath” was another beautiful summer day with friends. Of course we knew there would come a day when we would have deeper conversations about race with our children but in that moment, it was solely an observance. Simple curiosity without malice, fear, or prejudice. As innocent as a child noticing its own shadow for the first time, and nothing more than a wonderful introduction of the topic between two little friends.
Out of necessity I have since approached the topic of race with my children many times. As a mother of Black children it is very important that Black History did not begin or end with American chattel slavery. But instead with positive Black affirmation, African History, Black identity vs. African American culture, as well as Black influence past and present. Because Black is complex. Rich. Nuanced.
As beautifully stated by Grammy-nominated spoken word artist Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D. in her piece “You So Black,” “Black is adverb, adjective, color, and noun.” *snap *snap!
Birthed out of a need to preserve the history that had too long been purposely manipulated, Black History Month has always been accompanied by controversy. However, it provides a unique opportunity to center Blackness outside of the context of conflict or conflict resolution. Due to erasure through whitewashing and omission there is a ton of Black history that is not taught in schools, so it is also a time for enlightenment, acknowledgement, and engaging conversations between strangers and friends.
Not only is it a conversation that has continued since its establishment in 1915 by Carter G. Woodson, it’s a growing conversation as Black History Month is celebrated also in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Join the conversation right here, all month long, as we celebrate Black History Month here at Watershed Voice.
A native of Phoenix, Arizona Aundrea Sayrie is a firm believer in the power of words, faith and a strong spirit. Her greatest desire is to encourage those around her to discover and honor their truth, and to passionately live on purpose.
