thoughts on clouds

I thought

I thought to be strong you had to have muscles,
I thought it meant carrying tons upon tons upon tons of weight on your back
Little did I know I carried the weight of the history of my ancestors everyday
Little did I know this country was built on the backs of slaves, who spoke like me, looked like me, were like me.
I thought to be smart you had to be privileged.
I thought the definition of intelligence was rich background, flawless sun tanned skin and the money to buy all the revision guides in the world.
Now I look around the room of top set students and see a rainbow.
A collage of different backgrounds making up the brightest and the best.
From black to white to everything and anything.
I thought being pretty meant being white.
I though blonde hair and blue eyes was the only way forward, fair skin and perfect teeth.
Now I look up to my mother : the most beautiful woman on earth and I see crooked teeth and nappy hair and a smile that radiates warmth.
I see beauty in the porcelain skin and China doll features of my piano teacher. I see beauty in the dreadlocks cascading from my friend's head , ribbons of proud heritage.
I see beauty in the golden strands of hair upon chlorine kissed skin of my best friend.

Now I know to be strong is to be alive , and live through the everyday struggles we all face.
To be smart is to try your hardest , to keep going despite challenge.
And to be beautiful is to be human. We are all beautiful

I look around and see a palette.
We as humanity are a palette of different colours and together we make a masterpiece.