Black Girls

The day I was born, my parents' fourth daughter, no one even touched their food. The color of my black skin made the situation even more miserable for them. My three older sisters were fair, tall and thin. I was clearly understood for my poor parents and everyone told me throughout my childhood. Sometimes I hear my mother telling my father that bringing me into their lives is a curse. So, I start praying to God. Almost every day I prayed for something beautiful, tall and thin. My father arranged my marriage with a false promise to the groom. The kind boy married the ugly girl of our village. Overnight he became the kindest boy of his generation. I was never asked to return home. So, my only option was to listen to every command of my kind husband. I was scared all the time. Every black girl feels a kind of fear about losing her husband. He beat me every day because of the false promises my father made to him. I was always silent because I thought it was my fault. One day he poured hot water on my feet, I remained silent. I couldn't sleep many nights for fear of losing what I didn't have. One day when I sat down to eat, he kicked me from behind without any warning sign. When I fell to the ground, I woke up; I took the stick to me and started beating him, giving him no chance to attack. I beat every person in my life who insulted me: anyone who cut my soul. No one came to stop me and I saw fear in their faces. I left that house with my son forever. After that I never cried again. I never prayed to God to make me beautiful. I never wanted to love anyone. I work as a laborer. Whenever I see black girls working on the site, I always smile at them and let them know how beautiful they are. They surprised me and asked 'How can a black girl be beautiful?' I tell them, 'Beautiful is the person who has a beautiful mind ...