Dear little black girl. Tell me what did you know as your mother pushed you through her birth canal with all of her might? Did you know that your ancestors were dragged from their homes in the dark of the night?

 

Dear little black boy. What did you know as you looked up in your mother’s eyes as you suckled on her breast? Did you know that being black meant that you may as well have a big letter on your chest?

 

Dear little black girl. What did you know about the breasts you sought comfort in as a babe? Did you know that your black female ancestors had no choice but to allow their slave masters to hold onto their breasts as they had their way with them?

 

Dear little black boy. What did you know as you took your first step into this big wide world?

Did you know that with every step you took, you’d be walking with chains still around your ankles?

 

Dear little black girl. What did you know as your mama tore the pick through your hair trying to get through those nappy knots? Did you know that you’d be judged by how tight your curl pattern was or even how loosely it fell?

 

Dear little black boy. What did you know as you tried out for the 100-metre sprint at school? Did you know that it would be practice for you as you ran for your life from some of those sworn to protect you?

 

Dear little black girl. What did you know as your momma vaselined your beautiful black skin before sending you off to school? Did you know you’d have to fight back the tears as the white girls made fun of your thick lips, big bottom, and large thighs?

 

Dear little black boy. What did you know about innocently walking the streets from your friend’s house in the evening hours? Did you know that all black men wearing hoodies look alike, and that you MUST be the one that just perpetuated that crime?

 

Dear young black scholar. Your ancestors have paid the price! Your brothers and sisters of this 21st century have paid the price! Don’t stop fighting for them. Don’t stop fighting for that little black boy and girl who didn’t have a chance to become you. 

 

Dear little black child. What they did not know is that they couldn’t break your spirit. Fight on for what you didn’t know, and for what you do now know. You are emulated, you are imitated, but you will never be duplicated. 

 

Love Natalie,