My teacher in 3rd grade, a white woman, told me that Red, White & Blue stands for: “Red blood in white skin that appears as blue veins and no one else.” She told me to always remember that’s what it stood for so I wouldn’t sell out to fit in.

Now tell me, what do I do with that?

I do not knock her, as she was a kind woman, always teaching me about black history. For example, she once said, “You know who Marcus Garvey is?” I said, “No.” She said, “Well, who is Malcom X?” I said, “I dunno.” She said who is Martin L. King?” I said, “He marched on Washington and was bit by dogs and fought for our rights.” She said, “You must know all of your leaders who lead and fought for you and your people.” That’s when I really began reading more.

The Red, White and Blue issue above still comes to mind though whenever I see a US flag or someone’s veins. Thing that make you go, hmmm, huh ~