Black is Beautiful

It was April 27, 2005, I was standing in the rain on a line that seemed to wrap around the earth or the Magic Johnson theater. I had a reserved copy of Jill Scott's poetry book titled the Moments, the Minutes, the Hours. It was my Mother's Day present from Jaz. Jill was at the bookstore signing copies of the book. When it was my turn, I offered a soggy weak handshake which she accepted with poise and a brillance that filled the room. No really this chic got it...that "it" which embodies confidence but not cockiness. I told her how I felt I was living my life like it's silver (making reference to her new release, golden) her reply,"All you need, you already have it. You just have to choose it." I walked away with book in hand and her words resonding in my frontal lobe but my hypothalamus won, damn I was starving! Years later I still remember her words, read her poetry, listen to her music, experienced her in concert at Carnegie Hall, am in awe of her spirit and damn, I'm still starving. Black is Beautiful. I embrace my blackness from my coarse patch of hair framing my face to my curvaceous body. I am Puertorirquena and therefore I am Taino Indian, Spaniard and Black. Black is beautiful and so is brown, tan, caramelo, off white and ivory. My people are beautiful because we come in a variety of colors. Mami es blanca como la leche, Papi trigueno como cafe bustelo y yo, pues, cafe con leche....sabroso! All that I need I already have I just have to choose it! Ya feel me! I choose to be happy, confident, informed, at peace and in love. I choose to love me....black. Shall I serve you a cup?