It was worth it
A friend wrote recently, informing me of the pain his grand-daughter is experiencing. She is bi-racial and lives in a neighbourhood in England where only a few children look like her.Children taunt her about the colour of her skin and the texture of her hair so that, alas, she does not like herself very much. This sad news prompted me to ask another friend, who also lives in England, to write a short story that he could read to his grand-daughter.
She wrote the following wonderful story, for which I thank her very much. I also want to thank Green Left Weekly readers for making this such a positive interactive column for the past eight years.
There once was a little girl called Annabel who was very unhappy. She did not have any friends, not proper friends, the sort you took to tea or played with after school.
Of course, there were lots of girls of her own age at school but Annabel always felt different because she had much darker coloured skin than any of the other children and black, very curly hair. Annabel often dreamed of having long, straight, blonde hair.
She lived with her mum, just the two of them. Her dad did not live with them anymore. Annabel had tried talking to her mum about her dad, but Mum would always soon change the subject.
Annabel had just one photograph of Dad, which Mum had allowed her to keep. Dad had dark brown skin and short black hair. Mum had blonde hair and pale, white skin.
One day Annabel went to school, as usual, but it turned into a very unusual day. When she got to her classroom Annabel found her teacher talking to a new girl.
Annabel stared as she saw that the new girl had the same colour skin as herself and black hair which was as curly as her own. Annabel wore her hair loose, but the new girl had braids which were wound round with tiny, tiny beads of all different colours.
When everyone was seated at their desk, Mrs Suggs, the teacher, clapped her hands for silence and announced, This is Sophie. She is going to be in our class. I want you all to make her feel at home. Talk to her at break time.
Hello Sophie!, one boy shouted out.
Not now, Gregory, Mrs Suggs said.
Sophie, she continued, don't be afraid to ask if you don't know your way around.
Annabel could hardly wait until first break. The children filed out into the playground. One or two of the girls said a shy hello to Sophie, and then carried on walking with their friends.
Annabel was not sure of what to say to Sophie. Then she remembered her drink and biscuits that Mum had packed for her. Shyly, she went up to Sophie and said, Hello. Would you like to share my drink and biscuits?, as she reached into her bag.
Yes, please, replied Sophie.
So the two girls bit into a Cadbury Snack and took turns sucking Ribena through a straw until the carton was quite empty. It made a funny gurgling sound as they drank the last few drops, which made them both giggle.
Suddenly the bell sounded, signalling their need to immediately return to the classroom.
After school, Annabel raced out to meet her mother. Mum, Mum, there's this new girl! Her name's Sophie. She's just like me! Can she come to tea one day?
Annabel's mum took her hand as they started to walk home. She turned to her daughter and smiled. Slow down! What do you mean, she's just like you?
Her skin's the same colour! She has beads in her hair! Can she come to tea? Please, Mum?, asked Annabel breathlessly.
I expect so, Mum answered. I'll need to meet her mum first.
Annabel was so happy that she danced the rest of the way home.
The next day, when Mum met Annabel after school, Sophie was there with her mum. So it was arranged that the two girls and the two mums would have tea together at Annabel's house.
Sophie's mum had beautiful black skin and lovely brown eyes. Annabel, she asked, would you like to come to Sophie's house for tea after school one day next week? And, if your mum agrees, I promise to braid your hair just like Sophie's!
Annabel was so excited.
Annabel and Sophie became good friends. At school, during every break time, they linked arms and walked around the playground or sat somewhere quiet away from the boys playing football. Sophie told Annabel that her father was white. Her family moved here because her Dad had gotten a new job.
Sometimes after school the two girls went to Sophie's â or Annabel's â house to play. When the weather was nice they played in the garden. Sophie had a swing in her garden. Annabel had a pet rabbit named Benny who lived in the garden shed. He had a run made of wire mesh and wood.
Sometimes the girls played with their dolls, dressing them in their different outfits. They saved their pocket money to buy new ones.
Annabel soon forgot that she had ever wanted long blonde hair. She asked her mum to buy her some beads so that she could have her hair in braids like Sophie's.
Her mum soon learnt how to braid Annabel's hair. It meant getting up a bit earlier on school days sometimes, but they both agreed that it was worth it.
BY PHYLLIS J. RUSSELL
[Brandon Astor Jones is a prisoner on death row in the United States. He welcomes letters commenting on his columns (include your name and full return address on the envelope, or prison authorities may refuse to deliver it). He can be written to at: Brandon Astor Jones, EF-122216, G3-77, Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison, PO Box 3877, Jackson, GA 30233, USA, or email <BrandonAstorJones@hotmail.com>. You can visit the author's web site at <http://www.BrandonAstorJones.com>.]