Reflections on Racism

Standing still, still standing, standing against…

Paris, France. 'Little' Thierry, 4 years old.

My first encounter with Racism occurred when, playing with other children, this kid ran at me shouting “You are a dirty black kid!”.

Struck by his words full of anger, not understanding what had just happened, I remained petrified in the middle of the playground where all fun had abruptly stopped for me.

Back home, that same day, I asked my mother: “Mom, am I black?"

"Yes, my son, you are black. Why do you ask?" she answered.

"Is it a bad thing?" I replied back.

I can’t honestly remember her answer to my second question but, after our conversation, I remember standing still in the mirror of her bedroom looking at my reflection trying to figure out why being black could trigger such violence.

San Francisco, CA.??Thierry, 2023.???????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I am deeply thinking while gazing at my reflection in the mirror of my bathroom. As if time had crystallized, I can clearly see 'Little' Thierry staring at me, still standing, in that mirror with the same question in mind.

After all the years he's been waiting, it is time to give him the best answer I can.

“Hey 'Little' Thierry, apologies for my long silence...

I have been trying to understand why Racism exists but I still don’t have an answer for you. All I know is that to reach your full potential in life you will have to win your inner battle against Racism.

One of Racism’s biggest threats is not what is thrown at your skin but what is going through it to poison your mind, heart and soul!

In the battle ahead, Racism will perniciously intend to inject its poison into you until you live through the projections of who it wants you to be, what it wants you to achieve and where it wants to go.

As you can only get what you envision, Racism wants you to remain in chains in the mirror staring at the reflection of a Nobody, achieving Nothing and going Nowhere!

Its ultimate goal is to have you become your own worst enemy fighting outside chimeras when your most dangerous adversary will quietly operate within with impunity.

To get you to that point, Racism's sneaky strategy relies on deception. Its main tactics involve using all possible shapes and stratagems to:

1- ERODE YOUR SELF-IMAGE so you only see a small piece of your true potential. Therefore, you could doubt about your capabilities and limit your growth potential.

2- PUT MASKS ON PEOPLE'S FACES so you see friends as enemies and foes as allies. Therefore, you might follow the wrong crowd and dismiss the supportive people recognizing your true values and skills. As to whom can clearly see, they have no color.

3- DISTORT YOUR VISION OF THE WORLD so available resources and opportunities are invisible to you. Therefore, you could end up not even pursing potential great paths for you.

With an altered vision of your personal worth, misleading guides and a wrong map of the world, despite all your efforts, your fate will be bound to your deformed perception....All roads will lead to failure!

Fortunately, despite Racism's impressive arsenal, there is an antidote some people have been using to neutralize its poison and clean the dirt incrusted in their mirror to clear their path to success.

The 3 main components of this remedy are self-awareness, collaboration with mentors and education. When skillfully leveraged:

1. SELF-AWARENESS brings an accurate perception of personal power leading to confidence.
2. COLLABORATION WITH MENTORS helps with self-awareness and provides some critical guidance along the way.
3. EDUCATION gives the necessary knowledge to understand the inner and outer worlds.

With a strong and accurate self-image, the support of selected mentors and an educated understanding the world, you will get the necessary clarity on yourself, others and the world to walk on your desired path to success.

Look into the mirror! Here is the winning strategy to follow in the years to come. Memorize it!

If you win this inner battle, your life will be an amazing journey full of amazing experiences. You will be an educated black male breaking through geographical, cultural, educational, social and racial barriers... to ultimately open your way to freedom.

Come back to the mirror if you have any questions. I am here for you now!

Together, we are going to stand against Racism and free the "Army of Inner Children" still stuck in the mirror. For kids and adults alike, they are the source of the energy, courage, curiosity and creativity needed to win the battle for good.

Go back to school tomorrow and have fun.

Don’t be mad at the kid who yelled at you this morning. He has been poisoned and need some help as well.

Play together and show him the beautiful black kid you are!”

The world is a playground for all us to enjoy and...

Nobody, Nothing, Nowhere should prevent us from having fun together.

See you soon! In the mirror...

Thierry