Karen Hill
Washington, DC
Those words were spoken by the first boy I ever had a crush on. I was 12 and had asked my best friend to find out if he liked me. She called him and while I listened in on the other line asked what he thought. He hesitated and then with disdain spoke those six words. For the first time, I realized that being dark was not just a possible barrier in the outside world but would also be an additional hurdle among my own people. I ask that we consciously make an effort not to pass on the intra-racism that has plagued us African-Americans for too long.
