Seeing my mother outer appearance changed was a significant event in my life. It wasn’t just about her outer appearance changing; it totally changed how our family worked and started us on a journey of figuring ourselves out and learning to accept ourselves.
Understanding Who We Are
When she started really getting into her Afrodescendant roots, it was like she was expressing, ‘This is my identity, and I’m honored of it. ‘ She started investigating into her family’s ancestry and all the fascinating accomplishments her predecessors did and the remarkable way of life they came from.
And it wasn’t just about her; she was instructing us, her kids, about our origins. It made us remember that our identity isn’t just about our skin color, but all the tales and customs we hold inside us.
Growth of the Self
Choosing to go black was a big step for Mom, and it was entirely about her personal growth. She had to deal with a lot of stuff, such as family members not entirely comfortable with it and the daily hardships of residing in a location where few resemble her.
But she stuck with her choice, and which demonstrated to me how cool it is to embrace yourself and remain steadfast in your convictions. And she was really inspiring to me through her resilience and because she never quit.
Getting Back to Our Roots
When Mom learned more about her African ancestry, she began reconnecting with her community again. She attended these cultural events, met some new people, and even founded her own group.
And this fresh connection was like finding a piece of herself she’d been missing and it made her feel much more comfortable. It was it was really cool to see her so involved and happy, and it made me realize how crucial it is to be part of a community and establishing connections are.
Teaching the Kids
The most rewarding part of Mom’s journey was that she shared her culture with us. She would tell us stories, she would show us recipes, and she would talk about her traditions, ensuring that we were aware and liked our heritage.
It felt as though she was teaching us how vital it is to pass on what we know and keep our heritage alive. She taught me that no matter your age, it’s always beneficial to learn about yourself and your roots.
Beatin’ the Odds
Her life’s path wasn’t all easy journey. She had to cope with stuff like unfair treatment, others not understanding, and some people even making cruel remarks.
But she never allowed that to discourage her. She exploited those difficult times to instruct and motivate others. She demonstrated to me that if you persevere and you are courageous, you can overcome almost anything.