Submitted by Georgina Class-Peters on the 2015 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management…
Sylvester pulled into the school grounds and the children could not contain themselves. Honestly speaking, seeing the smiles on their faces brightened my day. It is nice to know that people are excited to see you. As I walked out of the car, they ran up to me, almost knocking me over. “Hi Auntie Georgina!” they shouted from the top of their lungs! I love watching the children play, so innocent and carefree. Standing there quietly, I noticed a beautiful little girl who just seemed to be looking around. Something about her drew me closer and suddenly I wanted to know her. She caught me staring at her and gave me the sweetest smile, so I walked over to her. “My goodness you are pretty”, I whispered to her. She flashed her sweet smile again and replied “ I think you’re pretty too”. At that moment, another little girl approached me. I acknowledged her and she started “Auntie Georgina, I wish I had hair like you because your hair is so pretty and curly. Mine is short and dingy and makes me feel ugly”. I could have cried.
It really hurt me that this little girl felt that I was somehow better than her because my hair was longer than hers. If only she knew that my hair was fake, I wonder she would think of me. At that moment, I wanted to take off all these tracks and show her that I truly looked more like her than she thought. This encounter made me question the standards of beauty here. How many other little girls feel the same way? Quickly, I corrected her and pointed out all her attractive features to her. I know she did not believe me, but I know one day she will remember this conversation.
