Vulnerable
Today one of my black students said to me "nobody has any power."
"Except god" Another added.
Her name is Eternity. Or Essence. Or Nicelle. Or Ithiliua.
And every time I stumble on it I feel the echo of all the other well meaning white women who has stumbled on her name today.
I once saw Essence and a woman who looked too young to be her mother walking down the street.
Her too-young-to-be-her-mother was on the phone while Essence danced about her, pulling on her sleeve for attention.
Her too-young-to-be-her-mother ignored her for a few minutes before putting her hand over the receiver and shouting
"Shut up! Can't you see I'm on the phone?!"
I my class Essence smiles hugely every time she raises her hand to answer a question.
We did a unit on camoflauge and Essence was so excited to explain how zebras blend into the grass around them.
What would I tell her mother?
What could I tell her that would help?
What right to I have to imagine I could help?
Help her. Help Essence.
"Nobody has any power."
"Except god."
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