I grew up on the beautiful Island of Aruba. Best know for being “one happy island”. You would think growing up on the island, it is multicultural, so experiencing racism would be slim to none. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I had always been insecure about my blackness as a child. Growing up amongst mostly white friends. Not just white, blue eyes, blond hair, and a thin frame seemed to be the standard of beauty all around me. In ballet class, I was the only black girl and then later another melanated sista joined me. Not until my last couple of years in high school where I befriended a group of full-figured, beautiful, funny brown goddesses, did I start to feel at home in my own blackness. They probably do not know this but their friendship during that period meant the world to me. They helped me fill a void that I did not realize I had at the time. It’s so important for black women to befriend other black women.