…the Blacker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice

This classic phrase that many African Americans, from my Double OG Generation was handed down by grandparents. Somehow this lesson along with a few switches and backhand slaps remained guides throughout my journeys, for which I am most grateful…

I believe it’s origin was a defense of darker skinned folk to the presenters of the “lighter is brighter,” brainwashing which gained it’s roots from the mulattoes who were given cushy “house” positions on plantations. This backwards thinking led to the creation of. D.C.’s infamous “Gold Coast,” which was an exclusive neighborhood where the elite doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs lived…”light, bright and almost white,” was an accompanying phrase which also reflected this self hatred. This programmed self-hatred spread to other colonized countries and the shackles created have held back generations.

As most programming is deeply rooted and spawns layers of mental illness, we might finally be gaining on the war against this form of self-hatred perpetuated by the dominant culture.

Your mirror is your best friend and God’s gifts begin with the cover of your fabulous “book” titled Y.O.U.

Hug-A-Mug-Of-Joy (HAMOJ)