Black: Too Much Sun...

So lately I've been reminded that spending time in the sun makes you blacker.

I spent this whole weekend playing kickball and I have lots to show for it, including sore muscles, achy body, and darker skin.

Today, while sitting on the Time's patio, I actually had the thought "I need to get in the shade cuz I don't want to get any darker." That insinuates that there's something wrong with being darker, and I immediately felt bad and ashamed of myself. I don't mind my color; this variation of statement is a long time coming, because for a long while, it felt like a curse.

But now, I'm getting comfortable with being black and knowing who I am and what I want and what I can achieve if I put my mind to it.

Yet, all that was thrown in the air when I thought about the repercussions of me getting some UVA and UVB lights to warm my skin and make more Vitamin D.

Funny how some of our internalized racism can just pop up whenever it wants :/