Thanks and Shout outs go to my girl over at "Reel Talk" (http://ticketstubz.blogspot.com/) for inviting me to attend this screening with her. "Skin", based on the true story of Sandra Laing, focuses on the story of a young, clearly black, girl growing up during apartheid. She is the biological child of two white "looking" Afrikaans. Sandra's arrival calls into question many things, most importantly her parents latent African ancestry.

For a review of the film follow the link and head on over to Reel Talk to see what my girl has to say about it. This is my reaction.

This film and Sandra's story is yet another depiction of how and why race is, a. created and b. so vital to the persecution of a "submissive" race. This young girl and her family could clearly see that she is "colored" yet, with such a horrible opinion of black people and the treatment of black people in their homeland, they stopped at nothing to convince themselves, the child and the world that she was white. They willing subjected her to debasing scrutiny and degradation, and when SHE herself began to see the truth, well, they did the unthinkable.

The struggle over race in this film called to mind our own struggle with race in this very country. This film reminds us that RACE is not biological. It is a deliberate and systemic separation of people, necessary to further the submission of one group of people over another. I am reminded that just because an institution assigns to me a race, and therefore a series of stereotypes, assumptions and beliefs, does not mean that I embrace them. I define who and what I am. It will not take thirty years, the death of a family member, the government or an election to validate me. Note: this is not at all a "dig" at Ms. Laing. It is my thank you for her struggle, so that I don't have too.

Skin also reminded me of the importance of our stories. What about your life has shaped you into the person you are today? You may not think your story matters, yet it can provide someone with a message. Telling it can provide you with something you need as well. Think about your story, I think about mine. Think about telling your story. It matters...

Stay tuned...

*Editors Note: Skin hits theaters October 30th. Click the link to see the gripping trailer.