It seems that 4 or 5 is the age of enlightenment for us when we realise we are Black. My experience was while playing with my little white friends, one of them said “Let’s run away from Keith monkey” then they all began to chant “Let’s run away from Keith monkey”. While I tried to run to them to reconnect they kept running away from me chanting.

Something inside me died that day, as I came to the realisation in my young mind that I was different and in their eyes lesser. It took me many years, over 45 years to realise that I don’t need to run after the acceptance of white people and to receive their affirmation. I’m Black and I’m proud, but first I’m me ✊🏿✊🏾