inclusivity

It’s taken me a while to write… primarily because of the social and political events that have occurred. I wanted to write, but I wanted to focus on the point. The point is Her.

I originally wanted to write about colorism in the black community, hence the candle’s name “A Letter to Nina”. This candle was inspired by Nina Simone’s song Four Women, in which Nina describes characteristics and experiences of black, yellow, tan, and brown-skinned women. In an interview Nina spoke about the inspiration of this song and that it came from her experiences growing up as a black-skinned woman and how she was treated in comparison to other black women. However, as we have recently witnessed with Megan Markle, no matter how white you may appear and even consider yourself, those who want to use your blackness against you can and will. I loathe those people, and I send love to those who must navigate their blackness in the realm of whiteness that they exist. You are loved and your choice of blackness or whiteness is affirmed.

Four Women made me think about the genetically less melanated black people. The language of inclusivity can be tricky, and the word ‘melanin’ is often used to show pride in blackness. However, we have black folk who have no melanin and are no less black. How do we possibly talk about blackness while using words that are not inclusive to black people? This point is for Her.