I am more than a color.

To my parents,

To say I am thankful for you both would be an understatement. Perhaps indebted would be a more suitable word. The list is miles long, but there is one thing in particular I want to thank you for.

Before us two older kids started school, you guys sat us down with this look I couldn't quite figure out then. Looking back, I would say it was sadness, knowing the conversation we were about to have wasn't one any child should have to worry about.

At this point, neither one of us kids were naive to the fact that we were different; we are the result of a bi-racial marriage. Even between the two of us, the color of our skin varies significantly - [Oldest sibling's name redacted]'s is pale and more prone to burning, while I look more Brazilian, with easily tanned skin and never experienced being sunburnt a day in my life (thank goodness, because it looks like it sucks).

What we didn't realize was how cruel and judgmental the world could be. Yeah, I remember people giving weird looks or commenting in a way that little me understood was all that kind. But you sheltered us from the harsh reality for as long as you could, until [Oldest sibling's name redacted] was about to start school.

You let us know the struggles you guys had to face when you were dating. Both of you lived during at time, when yes, you were able to date despite your difference in race, but it wasn't easy. Family members and friends were harsher and a couple even cut off contact with you both because you were "marrying outside of your races."

By the time I was born, things had improved, but being a mixed kid was going to bring its own sets of challenges. You both explained that in school, being bullied was always a strong possibility, and that the color of our skin would make us a bigger target than other children our age. There would be cruel jokes sometimes, or kids could leave us out because we didn't look like them, the list goes on.

But you also told us that racism is something we would have to deal with for the rest of lives. "It isn't fair or right," you guys told us, "but never allow people to shame you for your skin color. You are beautiful and worth so much more than the color of your skin."

As we both and later another sibling grew up, both of you would always check in, helping us get through certain situations. One time I can think of was the first time an older staff member at a store was following me around, worried I was going to steal something. I think I was 10 at the time. Mom, the fact you told me that could happen, it helped stay calm and act normally so that person wouldn't try to use my actions against me. And yes, it hurt that this individual was so quick to assume that I must be a thief because I'm partially black. It didn't keep me down though, because I knew who I was, and that was enough.

But I think the biggest thing about all of this, is no matter how many people made snide little comments or acted like I was lesser than them, I have never hated my skin color or been ashamed of my genetic heritage. I've struggled and still struggle with my body image, but never thought my skin color was the reason I felt like I wasn't beautiful.

That's truly what I want to thank you both for, helping me go through life and never feeling like I was just the color of skin.

I am so much more than that.

I'm a daughter. I'm a hard worker. I'm a good person. I'm talented and beautiful.

So thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Love,

Me and the little girl unashamed of her skin color