This is a story that focus on racism and how love is more important. Two young girl become friends under a sticking situation. But they find a way to be friends regardless of what her father believes in. Color is no factor in the eyes of this two courageous girls. Friendship and love conquers all.
Skin Deep
“Mama have you seen my doll baby? She was just right here and now she’s gone.” I asked my mother as I searched for my doll Kelly. She has been missing for a day or two. I wonder where she could be.
“No I haven’t seen that doll of yours. You are not doing well keeping up with your toys. If you want more toys Terri you must learn to take care of the ones you have.” Mama said scolding me for being so careless with my things. There was one more person I had to confront and that was my brother Devon.
“Hey Devon have you seen Kelly?” I yelled up the steps. He was in his room playing with those stupid Gi Joe men.
“No I haven’t little crybaby. I can’t find my doll wah wah wah.” He teased.
Something was funny about his answer he kind of hesitated. So I decided to go upstairs to see exactly what he was up to. When I started up the stairs he ran down so fast I felt a breeze from his swiftness. I searched his room and found nothing. On my way back down the stairs there was Kelly hanging from a nail with a string around her neck. Instantly I begin to cry because that was so cruel. He hung my doll from a nail, he also sliced her toes and fingers off. I grabbed my doll and ran outside to sit on my steps.
Next door I saw new people moving in and I hoped they had a little girl for me to play with. Sometimes big brother could be so mean but I love him still. I saw a little girl standing by the tree in front of the house next door. She looked to be about my age so I was hoping my wish came true . Finally I would have a play mate. The girl was about my height you know the size of a average seven year-old. Her long brown hair was evenly cut hanging at the top of her shoulders. I could tell by her clothes that her parents must be wealthy. But hey I could be wrong. Truthfully none of those things mattered. She appeared very sad or shy I wasn’t sure. When she looked up I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seem. They were gray it was kind of weird yet still pretty.
“Hello what’s your name?” I asked trying to be friendly.
“Are you talking to me?” She asked as if she was afraid to speak.
“Of course I am talking to you. I don’t see nobody else out here.” I said back wondering what her problem was.
“My name is Jennifer Vasey. What is your name?”
“My name is Terri Richards. So it looks like you are going to be my new play mate?”
“I-I don’t know. My father said I can’t play with no black-”
“Excuse me! Who you calling black. Do you see that street? That is black and I don’t look nothing like that. And if that is how it is I can’t play with you either.” I snapped back trying not to show my real feelings. The truth was I wanted to play with her more than anything.
“I am sorry I did not mean to offend you. I knew I shouldn’t have said that. Listen where we used to live I only played with my own people. So don’t be upset I didn’t mean anything by it.” She said trying to explain herself.
“What do you mean your own people. Aint your blood red?” I asked wondering who feed her that nonsense about her own people.
“Yes of course it’s red.” She answered as if my question was stupid.
“Then it seems to me we are not that different.” I said back trying to show her that color should not be a factor.
“You are right. Lets play.”
That day I had so much fun we played and played until the sun went down. I guess Jennifer wasn’t a bad person at all; she was misinformed. Right when we were in the middle of playing with my Barbie dolls her mother called her in. Mrs. Vasey was a petite women with reddish hair and a pretty smile. She was very pretty. We said our goodbyes and she told me she would be back tomorrow. Her father came outside and told his daughter not to play with me. He was very tall, with a goatee with blue eyes that sparkled like stars. He scared me in a way.
So when I went in the house I had tons of questions to ask Mama and I hope she had time. I don’t understand why people focus on things that are not important.
“Mama do you have time to talk to me. I have a lot of questions to ask you.”
“Sure I always have time for my babies.”
“Okay Mama how come when I was playing with Jennifer her father said she can’t play with me tomorrow. Did I do something wrong.”
“First of all who is Jennifer?”
“The new girl that moved next door.”
“Okay. I don’t know baby.”
“She told me that where she used to live she only played with her people.”
“Oh okay I understand now. Is she another race?”
“Yes she is white.”
“Terri don’t call her white. That sheet is white the right word is Caucasian.”
“Yes ma’am. So why did he say that.”
“I am not sure but I will talk to him. What about her mother? Did she say anything was wrong with you playing with her.”
“No. She seems quiet. Her mother don’t talk much. Maybe she would if you went over and talked to her.”
“Maybe I will.”
My mother was disturbed by what Mr. Vasey said to me so she paid them a visit. Mama seemed pretty upset too and I did not understand why. I could feel the vibrations of her heavy footsteps; boy was she angry. I actually felt sorry for Mr. Vasey because he didn’t know my mama. I went to the window to listen but all I could hear was mumbling. So I took my chances and went to the door to ease drop. Something inside of me had to know what this “my people” stuff was about. At the door I could hear just fine.
“Mr. Vasey let me tell you something I don’t know where you came from but here we don’t go around hurting children’s feelings. My daughter was crushed about something you told her and I suggest you figure out a way to get over the fact that we are black. Now just in case you want to know it won’t rub off and there is nothing she will catch. Now I expect that from a child but not from a adult.”
“Look lady I don’t want my daughter playing with no nig-”
“You say that word and you will regret it.”
“Just keep your daughter away from mine and that’s that.”
He went in his house and slammed the door. He did not realize he left his wife and daughter standing outside. At this point, Mama was steaming Mr. Vasey just would not bulge from his crazy ways.
“Please excuse my husband he is set in his ways. I just want you to know I have nothing against them playing together.”
“It’s okay it’s not your fault.”
Several months had passed since the outrageous conversation that went no where. Jennifer and I were sneaking around playing dolls every day. One day we went to the swimming pool which was about a block away. We decided to make a plan so her father would not see us together. It was crazy sneaking around all the time. Anyway, Jennifer went out her front door and I went out the back then we met at the corner store. We were getting really close I considered her my sister. Who cares if her skin is a different color, that meant nothing to us. We were happy playing together as two girls that were totally color blind. Jennifer was not a good swimmer so she tried to stay away from the deep water. There I was swimming like a fish all over the place when I heard Jennifer yell.
“Hel- oh help!” Jennifer yelled.
“Jen where are you.” I screamed. I glanced towards the deeper end of the pool and there she was smacking the water fighting for her life. I dived in the water with no hesitation all I could think about is losing my sister. My heart pounding as I fight the water to save her. When I reached her I immediately pulled her out of the water. She was unconscious.
“Come on Jen. Wake up.” I yelled as tears rolled down my face.
All I could do was think about her leaving me so I did CPR. (Yes I know you are wondering how a seven year old knows CPR) I am so glad they taught us that in Fun Camp last summer it really came in handy. I did each step carefully and thank God she started coughing up water. Her beautiful brown hair was stuck to the pavement as she tried to raise herself up. I told her to stay there for a minute to make sure she was okay. I ran to get her a towel and there was her father running frantically someone must have called him.
“Jennifer are you okay. Is she responsible for this?”
“No she saved my life.”
“What.”
“You heard me right my best friend saved my life. You know the friend you told me I couldn’t play with. She was the only person brave enough to jump in the water to save me.”
“Thank you Terri. I owe you an apology. I am sorry for everything.”
“It’s okay as long as Jennifer and I can play that is enough for me.”
“See Daddy it doesn’t matter what color you are friends come in many different flavors.”
I thought to myself that it was amazing what a child could teach an adult. We all learned something from this experience. I learned that I will do anything for Jennifer my new friend and that Jennifer went against her father’s beliefs just to be my friend. From that day on I was considered a hero but I didn’t want that title I was just being a friend; that’s all.
Everyone is beautiful in God's eyes.
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Reviewed by Sheree Rabon
5/27/2003
Nice story, but, it seemed kind of forced, well, like the children were using terms and thoughts not usually that developed in children that age.
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