When I started to question my black skin-part 2

While in Dr. Rachel’s office, they anxiously await for her to announce who the valedictorian will be. Dr. Rachel begins, “Ladies before I give you two the results, I would like to say congratulations to the both of you. You two have attended this university and upheld the high standards we expect from all of our students. Both of you have maintained a 4.0, or better grade point average, while being a model for your college peers. Dean Maxwell is very sorry he couldn’t be here to make the final decision, but I’m more than capable of making the right choice.

Ebony thanks Dr. Rachel for her kind words, but then says, “With all due respect I would like the final vote to be made by Dean Maxwell. Dean Maxwell was here when Brittany and I started our first year. Dean Maxwell knows about our trials and tribulations, and our growth as students and people in general. You have only been here a year and a half.” Brittany replies, “Ebony how dare you! Dr. Rachel is a professional. She doesn’t have Dr. in front her name for nothing. Dr. Rachel is more than capable of picking the right votes based on the facts.” Ebony looks at Brittany and says, “yeah Brittany! That’s what you want to make yourself believe.” Dr. Rachel chimes in “Okay you two—that is enough! This is supposed to be a joyful moment, not a shout fest. Ebony I’m sorry you feel that I’m not qualified to make the final decision, but the truth is that I’m more than qualified. Look, I know this is another big important step in both of your lives, and I wish I could reward both of you with this great honor. The truth is, only one can obtain this reward and that person will encompass the essence of what this university is trying to send out into the world.” As Dr. Rachel sits down at her desk explaining herself to both ladies she continues, “Blackman University wants all our graduates to go out into the world and be great examples and role models. The title that is about to be embarked upon one of you is one of Blackman’s highest honors. This year it has been very hard to make this decision because you two have worked very hard and it shows. The person who doesn’t win this award should still feel great about themselves because you too are still a winner.” As Dr. Rachel pulls out an envelope with the results in it, Ebony and Brittany sit there—waiting. Dr. Rachel eagerly says, “I’m proud to be the first to announce Blackman’s University 2014 Valedictorian. The honor goes to—Brittany Stewart!” As Dr. Rachel reveals the results, Brittany jumps up with joy! Ebony instantly gets up to challenge the results. “How is that possible? With all due respect, I know I have been a better student than Brittany!” Brittany replies, “How dare you! I have earned this honor. Why don’t you show some respect for the decision?” “What decision Brittany,” says Ebony.   “We all know you barely earned any of the honors you have!”

Dr. Rachel chimes in, “Ebony this is enough. I know this meant a lot to you, but this is not the way to handle this situation. You have a lot to be proud of yourself.” Ebony says, “Yes! Dr. Rachel you’re right. I have maintained a weighted 4.39 GPA since I was a freshman. If I remember right, Britt’s average is a 4.0, which she didn’t achieve until her sophomore year. Oh yeah—let’s not forget all the academic clubs I’m in compared to Ms. Brittany.” Brittany defends herself, “Whatever! I’m a Cheerleader; plus I belong to the most popular Sorority KAK! I suit the valedictorian position better,” she says, as she flaunts around the office. Ebony gets angrier, “That’s the problem now! You look at it as a position. A position that you think you can manipulate yourself in with your charm like you have done so with many others. Truth is I won’t let it happen. Dr. Rachel how can I get in touch with Dean Maxwell?” Dr. Rachel tells Ebony, “I already told you that Dean Maxwell is on a very rare and important find in Africa; it’s impossible to get in touch with him.”

Ebony looks around the room wondering why this is happening to her. Dr. Rachel continues, “Brittany is the image and role model we want others to view that Blackman University is putting out as its final product. You exemplify most of those qualities, but are lacking a few.” Dr. Rachel is looking right at Ebony as she speaks. Ebony has enough; she gets up and shouts, “If anyone is lacking anything in this room it’s the two of you! One thing my parents taught me is to be true to myself. I see what’s going on now. Blackman University doesn’t want me as their 2014 Valedictorian because I’m two shades dark to make the list. I see we have taken this moment back to 1619.” Brittany then asks, “what happened in 1619,” with a confused look on her face. Ebony looks at her with disbelief that she is the valedictorian. She says, “In 1619, our ancestors were enslaved. The issue of skin color within our community began to be known as “the light skinned nigga against the dark skinned nigga.” The light skinned nigga was the right color and “smart” enough to stay in the house. The dark skinned nigga was too incompetent and unpleasant to the eyes, so they were only suited for field work.”

Dr. Rachel tries to intervene, “Ebony get off of it. We are not in 1619!” Ebony looks at her and shouts “We might as well be in the year 1619, because it is worse in 2014 when your own kind still go by the same rules! I will see you guys on graduation day!” As Ebony leaves the office slamming the door, Dr. Rachel and Brittany stand there with a confused look on their faces.

After leaving the Dean’s office Ebony goes to the burger place on campus to wait on her brother, Earl. As Earl approaches the table, he says “Excuse my beautiful, is someone sitting here?” Earl is a 6’2 caramel complexion, curly hair popular young man who he cares very much about his sister. Ebony looks at him and says, “Yes I’m waiting on this nerd to show up!” As Ebony takes a drink from her glass she looks at her brother. He says, “Well, I don’t mind being a nerd. These days that’s the smartest route into a woman’s heart,” he says as puts his hand on his heart while talking.

Ebony tells him to have a seat and asked (while shouting), if he talked to their mom today. Earl says, “Hey, not so loud.” Ebony then says, “What you don’t want everyone to know you’re a mamma’s boy!” Earl tells her “Well no, and yes. No I don’t want anyone to know I’m a mamma’s boy, and yes I talked to mom today. Mom wants to know why you haven’t called her today.” Earl is now sitting at the table.   A waitress comes with a burger and fries and he starts to grab fries from Ebony’s plate. Ebony tells him that she has important issues on her mind. Earl, being funny and somewhat serious asks, “Oh, so mom isn’t important?” “Mom is important but she is not the issue,” says Ebony. “Then what is the issue,” asks Earl. Ebony shouts, “Brittany Stewart is the issue!” “You’re talking about Brittany Stewart—the most gorgeous girl at this college,” says Earl. Ebony gets mad all over again, “Earl David III, if you say such a thing again, I will rip your tongue out your mouth!” As Ebony gets out of her chair and approaches her brother in a playing, but threatening way. He shouts, “Oh this must be serious? You called me by my whole name. What did Brittany do to you now?” Ebony goes on to tell her brother about what happened. “Brittany has found a way to take the honors of valedictorian right out of my hands,” says Ebony. “What do you mean? I thought Dean Maxwell had you locked in with the last vote,” said Earl. Ebony replies, “Dean Maxwell was called out to Africa to view an archeology site, and will be gone until after graduation.” As Ebony passes her hand through her hair and blows air through her mouth, Earl asks, “What will you do? Only if Dean Maxwell was here.” Ebony gets this look on her face like she just thought of the next great big invention. She says, “Well, Dean Maxwell isn’t here, but he’s in Africa. Earl, pack your bags we’re going to Africa.

Earl shouts, “Ebony wait! I didn’t say anything about going with you to the motherland. Plus you graduate in 5 days. It takes a day in a half to get to Africa.” “That’s why we have to leave as soon as possible,” says Ebony. “But I have freshman courses to finish so I can become a sophomore next year,” says Earl. Looking with much concern for his sister, as Ebony gets up from the table, Earl follows behind her.

Ebony and Earl make it to Africa, and found Dean Maxwell. When Ebony told him the story, he was outraged. Apparently, Dean Maxwell did give the final vote and Brittany wasn’t his pick. “Yeah I knew something was fishy about Dr. Rachel and her “admiration” of Brittany, but their plan will not work,” said Dean Maxwell. They hurried back to America along with Dean Maxwell. He was determined to come home and rectify this situation.

They return home on graduation day. Blackman’s gym is packed with graduates, family, friends, and visitors. Everything looks great. Ebony’s parents were in attendance, along with Brittany Parents. Brittany was dressed in her graduation gown and has the valedictorian hood draped over her. Dr. Rachel has just announced that she was the 2014 valedictorian. Brittany walks up to the podium to give her speech and begins, “I would like to first thank my family for always believing in me.” Right as she finishes her first sentence, Ebony and Dean Maxwell interrupt the ceremony. Dean Maxwell shouts, “Hold it!” Dean Maxwell’s voice could be heard loud and clear. Everyone stops and looks. Dr. Rachel hides her face and tries to walk away. Dean Maxwell walks to the podium where Brittany is—and Ebony follows.

Dean Maxwell walks to the microphone and says, “Hello everyone, I need to interrupt this ceremony with some bad news. When I left to go to Africa on my archeology find, I left specific instructions that the valedictorian was Ebony David Ambrose. The acting Dean, Dr. Rachel, thought things should be different and changed the vote for Brittany Stewart to win. I had hoped that any professor who has worked underneath me wouldn’t discriminate, stereotype, or wrongfully treat a student differently because of her skin color. Dr. Rachel is one of those professors! She thought Brittany should represent Blackman University because of her light skin color; not because of her academics. Ebony is more qualified for this honor. People, I’m an archeologist. My job is to go around the world and dig up fossils, artifacts, relics, and any other thing that represents history. These finds are usually pieces of a puzzle that tells us something about our past that can help us with our future. In my years of practice, I have learned a lot. You don’t have to go all around the world to make an important find to get a piece of history, most of the time you can dig in wherever you are. We have to make a conscience effort to understand there is no color line within our community and dig up our truth and how we should treat one another. I never thought I would see this type of issue at my university. I want to let everyone know now, that Dr. Rachel will be fired!” Dean Maxwell continues, “With no further delay, I would like to introduce you to the real 2014 valedictorian—Ebony David Ambrose!”

When Dean Maxell introduces Ebony, the audience stands and applauds her. Ebony walks up to the podium to except her honor. Earl takes the hood from Brittany and gives it to his sister.

Ebony was very happy about the way everything turned out. She got the honor she earned, but this was just the beginning. Even though things worked out this time, she still felt some type of way. Her emotions were hurt that someone would try to take away what she had worked so hard to obtain because of her skin color. She thought blacks were out of that era, but since she is a dark skinned woman, it seen that colorism within the black community is still a big issue. This issue has plagued her since she was a little girl. Things would get worse, but that’s for another day.

To find out what happens to Ebony, be sure to visit Atlanta Free Speech next week.