How lovely to read about Marita Golden and to read an excerpt of her 2004 memoir. Thanks to you and her for it. Just a few days ago I read a news story about the use of bleaching creams in S. Africa, and some of the negative remarks that the bleachers used about why they want to be "white." As a woman of color who has a lengthy connection to S. Africa, it saddened me. I do understand how conquest, imperialism and the pervasive dominant white culture has damaged the self-esteem of many dark-skinned human beings, but understanding doesn't stop me from being pained by it. Thanks for this small bit of balm, and best wishes to author Marita Golden, whose parents found a way to help her to love herself, in spite of all this stuff.
Cynthia Reyes replied on Mon, 01/07/2013 - 06:12am
Before I even got to Ms. Golden's comments, I was laughing out loud at the quote from my sister Barnard alumna, Zora Neale Hurston. Yes, indeedy, blacks are running around alright, all over the world. And given the nature of genetics (something the esteemed Zora may have had some knowledge of, given her major in anthropology at Barnard as its first student of African-American descent), things could very well tilt. Maybe they already have. What was that Nina Simone says in "Mr. Backlash?" - "red, yellow, black and brown"? Anyway, I love Zora in all her fiestiness and the laugh did me good (Why we laugh?). It prepared me to relax, exhale, and flow with the pain as I read Ms. Golden's work.
How lovely to read about Marita Golden and to read an excerpt of her 2004 memoir. Thanks to you and her for it. Just a few days ago I read a news story about the use of bleaching creams in S. Africa, and some of the negative remarks that the bleachers used about why they want to be "white." As a woman of color who has a lengthy connection to S. Africa, it saddened me. I do understand how conquest, imperialism and the pervasive dominant white culture has damaged the self-esteem of many dark-skinned human beings, but understanding doesn't stop me from being pained by it. Thanks for this small bit of balm, and best wishes to author Marita Golden, whose parents found a way to help her to love herself, in spite of all this stuff.
This excerpt brought tears to my eyes. How fortunate she was able to have that experience, tempered by love, affection, and pride.
Before I even got to Ms. Golden's comments, I was laughing out loud at the quote from my sister Barnard alumna, Zora Neale Hurston. Yes, indeedy, blacks are running around alright, all over the world. And given the nature of genetics (something the esteemed Zora may have had some knowledge of, given her major in anthropology at Barnard as its first student of African-American descent), things could very well tilt. Maybe they already have. What was that Nina Simone says in "Mr. Backlash?" - "red, yellow, black and brown"? Anyway, I love Zora in all her fiestiness and the laugh did me good (Why we laugh?). It prepared me to relax, exhale, and flow with the pain as I read Ms. Golden's work.