THE TALK

We've all had it: 
the talk
the conversation
the sit-down-look-you-in-the-eye
I've got things to tell you
Melissa, I applaud you
for that very public
confession. It's not easy
to admit we've been
seduced by privilege
that the smell of new
car leather, a gentle
red wine, and money
in the bank can make
us believe we're
safe, a different kind
of black. It takes
some kind of ovaries
to admit that having
a white parent
makes us forget
that the world does
not see us as the
product of love
but just--a different
shade of black.
And then there is that:
the black side of 
the conversation
where we are forced
to look ourselves
square in the face and
say what the "average"
American does about us,
to own that no matter
how much power
we have, we are not
powerful enough.
But that's the talk
we all have to have
if we're going to
do more than survive
our lot. Starting
with truth is the
first sign of thriving.

© Valerie Bridgeman
November 8, 2013