Dear Diary,
Today was the absolute worst! I joined a Girl Scout troop and there were no other girls who looked like me! It felt so awkward and out of place I thought I was gonna die! All of the other girls don’t understand where I’m coming from and they ask me why I don’t straighten my hair more often. What should I do? Maybe it would be better if I just blend in and stay silent. -Camille B.
Dear Diary,
The first day of school was strange. Of course, I was the only black girl in my class. I think I’m the only black girl in my high school! I guess I should just be friendly and hope that everyone likes me. But I think I saw a biracial girl today. Maybe she’ll be my friend? -Camille B.
These were the types of thoughts I had as a token black girl. For the majority of my life, I was the only black girl in various places and it was interesting to say the least. I sometimes wondered why I felt isolated. It wasn’t until high school that I realized I felt alone because of the color of my skin.
One day in my high school cafeteria, a student made an odd remark. We were required to come to school on MLK Day and he was surprised that I came to school. The biracial girl who I thought would be my friend, ended up becoming someone who did not like me whatsoever. That’s when I realized that I had to stop blending in, stand up for myself and be who I was made to be: a strong, confident black woman.
I wish I could talk to my younger self. Tell her that she is enough and no one can tell her otherwise. Being black is a privilege and as black women, we should lift each other up and not tear each other down.
Dear Diary,
I can’t believe I am a sophomore at the illustrious Hampton University! There are so many people who look like me! This is what I’ve been waiting for my whole life. Look out world, Camille Birdsong is here whether you like it or not! -Camille B.