Complexity of Color

As I look at the many hues of the skin in which my Sacred sisters are wrapped, I am intrigued by the richness of the stories told by their skin. If only I could understand how humans who started out as every color of the most delectible morsels on earth came to be dominated by pasty-faced people like me. I don't even enjoy white bread and i was told that white people were better than brown people. I think not.

I spent my life teaching people to cook. The way to bring out the best in most foods that we cook is in knowing the secrets of caramelizing, or browning. The second secret was in applying color and flavor with many-hued herbs and spices. Without these techniques, the final flavors would be bland.

And yet, humans continue to judge our sisters and brothers with the most color as less than we are. In my country, even the people of color favor those with the lightest skin.I am at a loss to know how this happened and how it exists until today.

How can I help stop the perception that dark is dangerous? Dark is, in cooking, complex and desired.Dark is mysterious, which means that there are many layers to explore. Why is the mysterious a source of fear for so many?What can I do, other than to open doors for my friends of color and invite others to come in and become comfortable?