Some time in February i was at school working during the holidays and i told the young coloured girl sitting next to me that i do not like the term black people and i prefer African, she laughed and said that i am ashamed of who i am, that i do not acknowledge that i am black,, she continued on to say that she doesnt blame me for she too would be ashamed of being black if she was.
I found what she said really insulting, so i lost it in class. I found it really silly that in these times there are still young people who consider black people to be unacceptable in society, especially with her being coloured she should know better.
the reason why i prefer being called African rather that black is because over the years people have managed to associate the colour black with a lot of bad things for example; black roses, black car with black windows and black magic etc.
For so many years Africans have been attacked, killed, punished and discriminated against because of the colour of their skin.Around the world leaders were born to help combat this fight against inequality due to the colour of our skin, they spoke words of wisdom that uplifted their kind, most of them grew to love themselves exactly the way they looked, accepting who and what they are. but as the war between men and men seemed to be cooling down, a bigger one started and this time it was between men and media.
The media was created to be a platform where the public could voice their opinions, a place where the state was supposed to give out information that would give the public some security but today it is used for peoples selfish acts and though in theory it is still used to benefit the public and their desire for information in practise that isn't the issue. 
The media has taken on the responsibility of deciding what is and what is not acceptable in society when it comes to the physical looks of a person. according to the media in order for one to be considered to be beautiful, they need to be light in complexion, slender and have beautiful long hair. They continuously advertise products that make a black girl or boy wish to be white, products such as hair extensions, make up and surgery. They call it "enhancing your beauty". 
With this said i know and believe that i am a beautiful African, black (whatever you want to call it) girl. i am proud of who i am and i am mostly proud of the road that black people have traveled.
If you are a black child and you still hate yourself for the colour which God has given you, all i have to say is work on it, trust in God and believe in yourself. Being black does not define who you are but it will play a role in defining the kind of person you will turn out to be.
We are loved and favored by God, you are beautiful and do not depend on make up and extensions to make you feel beautiful, your beauty is natural. People will always talk, just keep your held up high and be confidence and you will see a huge difference. Research on your history, look up to celebrities that preach being black and proud so you can be empowered. The power is in your hands.
