Written by Dana Smith
What is it like trying to find self-love as a black girl lost in the Midwest?
I want to share with all who are willing to listen a story about finding love. My love exists within no person, it is an action that I’m getting familiar with. As a child growing up I was told there were many things about me that were undesirable, my blackness, my kooky ways, and my belly to name a few. These ideas were heard so much they became fact to me. For much of my life, for all intents and purposes I was the undesirable.
For much of my life, for all intents and purposes I was the undesirable.
It took extreme measures for me to even acknowledged that there was a problem with the way I saw myself.
For these reasons I write this story, it is an account to serve as a reminder that I’ve traveled this road before. I write to help myself find strength as this love grows, knowing this battle isn’t over. I write to remind us all that we are more than what we’ve been told.
Don’t come here looking for answers
I’m still asking
Don’t expect to see some breakthrough
I’m a work in progress
Don’t think you won’t find contradictions
I’m still learning
I’ve been in a place where I had no appreciation for the light within me and living in that space is dangerous. I share my story to be courageous in my own fight. I will not hide from my truth, I will not hide from my light!
My body and mind are gifts and shall be appreciated even if it is just through a self publish memoir to honor our journey to this day.
