Resonances/ Questions/Critiques
As I read through the two articles, one thing that resonated with me was that I was one of the little girls unknowingly pretending to be a white princess from the fairytales or one of many white Barbie dolls, or baby dolls that I played with. Not only were my dolls mostly white so were my neighbors and classmates. The posters on my bedroom walls were of mostly white artist; Duran Duran, George Michael, Cindy Lauper, Beastie Boys, Hall and Oats, and Madonna, I also had Michael Jackson, Prince, Run DMC, and LL. As more and more black artist came out with music and videos my walls became less white, not that the music wasn't good, I think I wanted more representation of self in my room. I didn't realize how limited African American representation was growing up. It was normal to be one of the only black youths, besides my sister playing outside or to only see one black person in a show as the best friend or as the neighbor. YDEV classes opened my eye wider to see how the world really is and try to come up with solutions on how to help everyone else see it too.
What also resonated with me was the feeling of not doing enough in life to be considered good enough. When can I slow down? Sometimes I think that I am not living my best life, I am just existing, I am exhausted.
Thanks for this post Tracy and for sharing a visual of your childhood bedroom walls:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Tracy for sharing the true life many of our minority little girls live in various settings of their childhood. I recalled similar situation being shared by a middle school friend many years ago therefore your story brought me back to my childhood memories.
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