Gifted
I was introduced to Nina Simone at a young age. I loved her raspy voice. I loved how she sang her politics and called it all jazz. I loved how this unapologetically big nosed black woman was able to leave us feeling good, spellbound, all while telling stories about four women and strange fruit. She was one of the first to tell me that I was young, gifted, and black. I learned that my youth was a gift. I learned that my blackness was a gift. I learned that my ability to write and express myself poetically was a gift.
Your intellect, your sense of humor, your business acumen are all a gift. Be unapologetically who you are because you are a gift. You are gifted. You are blessed. You are a blessing. To truly be young, black, and gifted is to recognize that you are the gift. Your complexion, your hair, your smile, your hips, your thighs, your nose and your eyes are a gift. Your sincerity, your peace, your joy, your faith, your heart, your spirit are a gift. You are gifted! Your talents, your treasure, your pain and your pleasure are a gift. Your desire, your dreams, your plans and your purpose are a gift. You are gifted.
Diversity
"When we're talking about diversity, it's not a box to check. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us."-Ava DuVernay
Let me say this, I knew that this would happen. I knew the numbers wouldn't compare. I knew that Brown faces would be hard to receive. I knew that "it's a man's world." I just wanted this time to be different. I wanted that on the eve of International Women's Day that we would support Ava. I wanted us to support diversity. I wanted more than just Barbie dolls and merchandise. I wanted my daughter to go see a movie with a lead that looks just like her. I wanted the inclusion riders. I wanted to believe that we wanted diversity too.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-wrinkle-in-time-ava-duvernay_us_5aa27655e4b07047bec58d99