The greater impact is not made when everyone is screaming but when we all are listening. Racism, inequality and oppression are real, and unfortunately, hate comes in all colors and shapes.
¿Y tu agüela, aonde ejtá? What color am I?
I was born in Chicago and raised in Puerto Rico. I had a Black grandfather with dark eyes and a White grandfather with blue eyes. Their skin and eye colors could not have been more contrasting. It allowed me to grow up seeing people beyond their skin color. I was raised "color-blind".
During my early years in school, we were taught that our heritage comes from Indigenous Taínos, Spaniards and Africans. I also learned poems, songs and dances inspired by our African Heritage.
To quote an Afro-Antillean poem I performed to as a youth:
"Calabó y bambú.
Bambú y calabó..."
Called "Danza Negra," and written by Luis Palés Matos, it refers to types of wood found in Africa and the Caribbean.
¿Y tu agüela, aonde ejtá? (Puerto Rican dialect, translated in English, means "and where is your grandmother?") is a poem by Fortunato Vizcarrondo that we also learned in school, that reminded us of our roots. In Puerto Rico, you may have white skin and your grandmother be black. In his poem, Mr. Vizcarrondo was asking, if you say you are white, let me see your Abuela, don’t hide her. It was a criticism to those who chose to deny their African heritage.
So, after growing up on an Island that is home to all shades of skin color — and where "Negro" and "Negra" are often used as a term of endearment, it has been hard for me, at times, to comprehend racism.
Although I was not raised in a privileged family, I had the privilege of being raised by parents who were open-minded and open-hearted, who were welcoming and loving to everyone. Of course we had family feuds, but the color of our skin was never a family issue.
I have been hurt by being looked down on for being Puerto Rican; I have chosen to believe that it has nothing to do with me or who I am but a reflection of the person’s ignorance or poor heart. "Blessed their hearts!"
The greater impact is not made when everyone is screaming but when we all are listening. Luis A. Ferré said "La Razón no Grita, La Razón Convence"; translated in English as "Reason does not Scream, Reason Convinces."
Racism, inequality and oppression are real, and unfortunately, hate comes in all colors and shapes. We do need to have meaningful conversations about these and other issues, while opening our ears and hearts. If each of us changes ONE person, ONE heart, then we will have a real movement.
What color am I? That actually doesn’t matter; the color of my skin doesn’t define me nor determines who I am. What truly matters are our values, how we interact with others, how we love others, while being imperfect human beings walking in God’s grace and towards His light! Let’s guard our hearts and shine light.
As Danny Gokey sings: "It comes down to this ... Love God, Love People."
Angie Malave is owner of The Wine Café & The Coffee Cup in downtown Fayetteville.