I am Black, defined by the melanin in my skin, and the shade that it reflects. My genetics are made up of Creole, Black, White and Native American, I am proud of it, but I don’t like the racial barriers that come with being me.

Now, I’ve learned that I am so much more than a skin tone. I am a product of many legacies left before me, my ancestral blend of many cultures woven into one. I have the biological and visual proof of my ethnicity.

I am light-skinned, soft spoken, sophisticated in speaking with energetic personality, these traits overshadowed by race. I’ve been told I am a white girl because I don’t fit the black stereotype. I was denied my race by my friends and family,  which in turn held me back from accepting myself. I never stood against it, I accepted it, and aspired to be white. The moment I started to view myself differently was the moment I realized that wasn’t right.

When I moved to a neighborhood that is primarily white, I noticed changes as to how I was being treated. For example, I noticed employees at a local store watch me more closely than other customers. After noticing how I was singled out, due to my skin color, because of the stereotypes surrounding blacks. I was insulted by how I was being treated, but I understood that it was because they didn’t know me. That really isn’t an excuse, at the end of the day I’m still black and people see me that way, just because a person’s born a certain color doesn’t make them subject to the common attributes of people who look like them.

It is understandable considering the media only features black women in a certain way. For example black women are only advertised “kinky” hair care products, we’re considered to be loud and or unintelligent. White people also have their own stereotypes, which are sophisticated, privileged, they’re bad at dancing. Both of these stereotypes are not right and do not represent just one individual. Personality doesn’t change the color of your skin because people have to experience personality. Instead of being labeled as one race, I can just act like myself.

Black people aren’t just known for their stereotypes in the media. We are innovators, scholars and have made great contributions to how we live today. I found this out when I looked up successful black people throughout American history past and present. I really started to get a better understanding of what I wanted to emphasize and It made me feel better about myself as a black woman. It’s one of the reasons why I am so involved in Black History Month today. It gives me a chance to educate others and allow them see through my eyes, it’s a way I can stand up for myself. Black history gives me a chance to be proud of my roots.