Just one day late: A true little Christmas story.
It was a cold December. In a little school in a little town somewhere up north, preparations were made for the yearly nativity play. It was an important tradition. This took place at a time when people still believed that Christmas had something to do with God and Jesus and all that and everyone was suitable excited.
The roles were to be selected and when the teacher had dished out the characters among the kids, he looked at a child towards the back who was yet to get one. She sat with a straight back and looked at the teacher, full of quiet expectancy. Having grown up with both Bible and prayer, she was very much aware of the significance of the occasion. She was the only black kid in the class.
The teacher hesitated and said:
“And you Mia can be the devil!”
Oh dear. The girl became badly traumatized of course? Still in weekly counselling and on anti-depressants is she? Not at all. This is, after all, a Christmas story.
The girl merely looked the teacher in the eye and replied:
“And how do you know the devil is black?”
Clever cookie. Many intelligent have asked the same question. Before Malcolm X became Malcolm X, he was in prison and battled there the eternal issue of colours’ properties. More on this in the short story Born and bred in Deep South London.
Anyhow, the girl came to grow into a strong and independent woman. Just like her mother.
On that note:
I wish you happy holidays and a happy new year and I’ll here take the opportunity to share with you my favourite Christmas carol. Enjoy.
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