African Nova Scotian Affairs - Government of Nova Scotia

It’s not just a permanent suit that I have to wear everyday
It’s my personality
Sure some people might laugh and tease
But Momma says they’re just jealous of our beauty
I love the skin I’m in
There’s no need to be ashamed of it
just because someone else doesn’t like it
It’s how God wanted me to look
And God makes no mistakes
In his eyes I’m perfect just the way I am.
 
This skin I’m in may have been hated
and laughed at
But this skin was loved and cared for
I’ll never hate my own skin because of what you think
Only the Lord can judge me
So hush with your criticizing
Cause your opinion means nothing to me
Your ignorance only makes me stronger
I’m not crying any longer.
 
The skin I’m in, isn’t about slavery, whips, chains and pain
The skin I’m in is beauty, bold, rich and true
And there’s nothing it can’t do
My skin is strong it helps me to be a better me
When I look back at what my ancestors couldn’t have because of their skin
Makes me try all the much more to achieve
So my skin will succeed.
 
People don’t understand that talents are what God gave you to stand out and shine
From the crowd
Don’t let your fears keep you from shining because later you’ll realize it’s better to get out there and
shine now then later
I’ve always been a shy person
Mom would always tell me if I don’t get over it
And share my ideas and talents, important opportunities will pass me by
“Don’t hide in the shadows or you may never come out”
If you overcome your fears and believe in yourself
You can’t go anywhere but forward.
 
Because of the skin I am in, I feel as if every day I have to prove I can achieve
The things everyone else can
They look at me and judge by what they see
Not by what’s within
I’m more than what meets the eye
I can be whatever I set my mind to
The harder I work for it, the closer I get to it
So don’t let the skin I’m in fool you because what’s inside is much greater.
 
Writing about what it feels like to be in the skin I’m in, has made me realize how much things have
Changed overtime
Blacks and whites were separated
Now so many people have stood up and took a firm stance
King, Mandela, Malcolm X, Parks, Desmond,
Just to name a few
As well you and me
Because of these people, some of my best friends are white
To them I owe my gratitude
My life wouldn’t be what it is today
So I will stand out
I will shine and I will share my talents
And maybe someday, I can make a difference in many others lives
And if I don’t make a difference at least I know I tried my best and was the best me I can be.
 
The skin I’m in is royal kings and queens
Silver and gold
Most people think of the homeland that the skin I’m in represents; Africa, as poor and needy
But what they fail to see is that it’s much more than that
It is truly a beautiful place
The skin I’m in is a lot of things
It has been through good times and bad times
Happy times and sad times
But it never gives in
It never shows weakness
It uses its weaknesses to become strong and overcome the troubles that face it.
 
The skin I’m in is a story book
Every little detail tells a different story
Every scar, every mark
I don’t usually like to talk about slavery
I think it’s terrible and it’s a thing of the past
But because of what happened, I’m who and where I am today
Looking back makes me realize that they went through it
so that today we can be free and have equal rights.
 
The skin I’m in is proud
I try my best to do my best
I do my best to get the best
I know there will be times when I may make mistakes but those are my learning opportunities
It doesn’t mean that the skin I’m in isn’t intelligent
My mom will still be proud of me
Proud because I tried my best
This will please me, to know that someone cares
The skin I’m in can’t always please everyone.
 
As a little girl growing up
I always found it hard to fit in being the only one in this skin in my classes
But eventually I learned to stand up for myself and earn the respect from others
Today I am glad that I did
 
The skin I’m in is young and sometimes even foolish
But with every passing day, hour, minute, second
It learns new things
We learn new things
I say “we” because it’s not just my skin, it’s our skin
The skin we are in is strong, beautiful, resilient and intelligent
Loaded with many different talents and abilities
The skin we are in is and will always be Special.