White & Proud

By Keri Brye

White and Proud is a hard-hitting mediation demonstrating how advanced behaviors are labeled as cultural acts. Through a collection of anecdote , "White and Proud" draws attention to a very real problem of race, stereotyping and social acceptance as an individual. This thoughtfully inspiring, yet true story though told with humor and candor unveils the painful legacy that social expectations leave on everyone.
"White" is a metaphor for individuality - whether it vibrant, subtle or outrageous and proud is an symbol of self confidence and acceptance. White and Proud is articulate and presents an interesting perspective on the important topic of "acting white."
Brye appropriately uses a series of stories to tell her story. This approach, shows various angles and makes the subject easy to relate to. When you stumble upon the "Black Laws" you will clearly see society's cruelty when we do not conform to its expectations. However, when you see P.O.I.S.E. (Principles of Individuality and Self Endurance you discover a tool of empowerment so that you can learn to expect to be accepted for who you are and how to respect rather than ridicule individuality.
Although short and sweet, the message in this biography is sure to last a lifetime - embrace diversity!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463442491

Keri Brye

Keri Brye is a visionary author, poet and entrepreneur. She regularly illumines the lives of her friends and family through her stimulating truth-telling works. The soft-spoken, demure artist is known for her powerful presence in multi-media platforms. Brye's first book, For You: A Collection of Love Poems inspired saxophonist Frank Morton to form his namesake musical group, known as Frank Morton and the Jazz Sensations. The group performs at numerous venues, sharing its music combined with Bryes passionate poetry. Keri became an author as a natural calling, stating, "I've never wanted to do anything else." Throughout her life, she has remained true to her dream and has written for several publications in Florida. In addition to her writings, Keri is called to advocating for self-respect. This led to Keri co-founding Black Princesses of Pensacola, an organization designed to motivate and inspire young African American girls towards leadership, business and entrepreneurial skills. Keri is working on a program to teach the young ladies to fulfill their goals and ambitions with techniques to expand their self-confidence. Brye continues to light up the Gulf Coast of Florida by blazing new trails with her sparkling personality, community service and impassioned writing. Keri resides in Pensacola, Florida with her daughter, Paris and husband, Kernon.

Book preview

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FOREWORD

1

Don’t Call Your Mama, Mommy

2

Watch your Language!

3

Eat Some Meat

4

Yo, Listen to Rap Music

5

No Karaoke

6

Art Galleries, Wine Tasting?

7

Don’t Read: A Mind Ain’t

A Terrible Thing to Waste

8

Dress Hip Hop

9

Smelling the Coffee

10

White and Proud: The Truth

11

Raising a White Child

12

Dissecting Individuality

AFTERWORD

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank God for giving me the talent to write. It is through this talent that I am able to share my story with others. Whether it is poetry or my life events, I hope to inspire all those who read my works.

Thank you Mom, Loretta. for constantly reminding me: Life is what you make it. You really touched my heart when you spoke those words for the first time. I am utilizing my talents to make this the best life possible.

To my daughter, Paris, thank you for your smiles and constant energy that give me the courage to go forth when things seem impossible. You are still young, but you motivate Mommy in many ways.

To my husband, Kernon, thank you for accepting every part of me (white and black). Thank you for acknowledging the very essence of my being—my normal.

To my daddy, Gary, thank you for reminding me it’s o.k. to be different. Don’t change for anybody. You also told me to maintain myself respect and class.

To my step-dad, Larry, thanks for reminding me that we can’t control who we are. You always say, You can’t help being proper—you’re an English teacher. Though said jokingly, this was a wakeup call that God made us how we are and some things are just truly natural.

To my grandmother Bertha, thanks again for the homemade biscuits and syrup that played a vital part in me writing this book. Thank you for your many prayers, prayer cloths and anointing.

I would also like to give very special thanks for those who bullied me, as they were the inspiration for writing this book. It is through your belligerence and ignorance that I hope to inspire and educate others. I hope this book serves as a shield for others who may have had a similar experience.

FOREWORD

We do not ask to be born. We do not choose our parents, our sex or race. We do not even decide our persona.

Birth is not a day at the buffet. We do not stand in line and choose our physical characteristics, sex, or race. We don’t even choose our personality. Our personality is something that develops with us.

However, we all have to live and life has rules. We have to eat right, exercise, and get annual checkups. We also have to abide by the laws of the counties that we live in. Each country has different laws custom made for its citizens. In order to live peacefully, we must be aware of the laws and their consequences. We could be incarcerated if we break the laws and are caught by the authorities. I am a black woman. Yet, my peers say I am black only by physical appearance. However, by actions and personal preferences, I act white.

I discovered that racial groups are much like countries—each has their own laws. Likewise, the individuals in each group must be aware of the laws and abide by them.

Inconsolably, I was not aware of the laws for my race—African American. I have called them the black laws. Therefore, my peers subjected me to years of emotional incarceration. Damage can occur if laws are broken in most cases. I did not understand what damage I was causing.

After back-to-back years of continuing to break the black laws, I discovered that I had been unknowingly abiding by what I call, the white laws. I later discovered that it was difficult to abide by the black laws because I was not black.

Now equipped with knowledge of these worthless laws, I now have a claim against my peers for my years of emotional turmoil and for false accusations of being white. I once lived on a straddled fence. I could understand many frustrations of African Americans because I have black skin. Therefore, I was punished by taunts or bullying for breeching their laws. Now that I am aware of the black laws, I am more confused. I would like to know who made them and where they originated.

Based on my experience, I can conclude that intuitive insecurities of individuals were the founders of the black laws. I also believe that they originated from the pit of ignorance and years of enslavement of my African American ancestors. Unfortunately, these laws have been passed down from generation to generation.

Fortunately, I have found the cure for these insecurities—education and open mindedness. To help cope with this experience, I have developed the Principles of Individuality and Self Endurance (P.O.I.S.E.). These principles were established to ensure the quality of individual poise thus annulling the black laws. The following pages will chronicle my journey through poignant captivity and how I was freed. Caution: read with care. As you read, remember, no dilemma is closed to an open mind.

1

Don’t Call Your Mama, Mommy

Life is already confusing to a child. Add a little ignorance to the mix and it becomes even more