Maybe we're Litmus Test

The Universe testing out

Limits of its own Biases...

Tonality is blind in death.

As much as Skin in Life,

is tonally Deaf...

07.30.2023

Myth: Skin Tones @Ola_8

* Djembe is a drum thought to originate in Mali, West Africa southeast of Algeria. Its name comes from the saying "Anke djé, anke bé" which translates to mean "everyone gather together in peace," ...signifying the drum's purpose. In the Bambara language, "djé" is the verb for "gather" and "bé" translates as "peace."

Long ago, when the world was young, Mother Nature, and her family, the Keepers of Life still held dominion over all things. In their wisdom, they knew the world would need extra care, so they made People to be their stewards in the nurturing of creation. The Keepers all agreed that people should walk on two legs so they could see the world from different perspectives and so they navigate by the stars Father Sky set out each night to light the darkness. People were gifted with two hands to help them create the things they needed as well as to produce things of beauty. Mother Nature gave them eyes so they could behold the beauty that surrounded them. She also gifted them with ears to hear the songs birds sing and the many duets played by the wind and water. Finally, since People were going to have the great responsibility of caring for creation, the Keepers gifted them with the most complex and capable inner workings. No other heart on Earth was as strong. No other mind as capable of reason and imagination, No other lungs could create voice, language, and song as those given to people. The Keepers of Life were so pleased and so proud of these very complex beings they encased them in skin clearer than the most perfect crystal so that they could look upon them and admire the beautiful and intricate beings they made.

As capable as People were,

The Keepers of Life knew there was much their new stewards would need to learn if they were to be given care of all creation. So, every year when the leaves began to fall and the heat was cooled by the breath of Sister Wind, the wisest and most clever of People were gathered from their dwellings on Grandmother Earth to learn and ask questions of the Keepers. They were taken to a different place each year. Some years they were taught on the Savannah, other years they learned huddled in the snow on the highest mountain tops. Many were held within the forests of the Earth. No matter the place, these gatherings of People and Keepers came to be called the Great Times of Learning.

One year, People decided to ask he Keepers for just one more gift. The People admired and held in awe all the colors in nature that were created by the Keepers. They loved the deep blues, pinks, and purples of the sunset and the clear shimmering blues and greens of water. Many loved the creamy color of the ivory worn by some creatures and the shimmering pearly white of snow. Others marveled at the multitude of colors the birds showed off as they flew through the sky. Some loved the greens found in the plants that grew and the rich browns, tans, and greys, and metallic gleam found within the Earth. More were so memorized by the sparkles that shimmered in certain stones that they made them into things to adorn themselves with. Finally, some were in awe of the reds, yellows, oranges, and blues that danced and changed within the light of Grandfather Fire. Coming together, People wanted to ask their makers to replace their perfect crystal skin with colors like those given to all the other creations of the Keepers, but fearing they would be seen as ungrateful, no one was brave enough to put forward their desire.

The Keepers spent that Time of Learning on a vast plain surrounded by foothills teaching People how to till the Earth and plant seeds to make food grow. People were also shown how to take ore from the Earth to make form metal to make stronger tools. As the air began to grow chill and the last of the leaves fell to the Earth the Time of Learning came to a close. Preparing to say his farewell, Father Sky noticed that People were strangely quiet. For the first time he could remember, People seemed nervous and uncertain. Usually, they laughed and asked a multitude of questions about all manner of creation. Troubled, Father Sky asked his fellow Keepers if they had noticed the difference in People. Indeed, all had noticed the difference in their favorite creation and agreed to determine what the change was all about.

So, before being swept up in Sister Wind's arms for the journey back to their homes, The Keepers sat before the People. Mother nature, noticing the nervousness in the People, decided to soothe their worry and observed. "Our People are strangely quiet this Time of Learning. You do not sing or laugh and your questions are few, what has changed, my children?" she asked, careful to keep her voice gentle as the light percussion the rain makes as it lands on the water.

One of the People, an elderly woman was encouraged by Mother Nature kind words, so she stepped forward and gave a humble bow and choosing her words carefully answered, "Dear mother, we were too afraid to ask because you have already given us so much...but," the woman's voice faltered as she became aware that the eyes of all the Keepers looked upon her.

"But what?" asked Brother Water, his voice rumbling like a summer thunder storm.

Another of the People stepped quietly forward to stand beside the old woman. This was the young boy's first Time of Learning and he possessed the bravery only to be found in the young. With a low bow, he finished the old woman's reply, "We are forever grateful for all you have given us, Mother, but we want to be adorned in color like the rest of your creation. We love the blue you painted the sky, the green the plains wear, and the ever changing blues, reds, and yellows within Grandfather Fire. We are also in awe of the other you've covered your lesser creatures in. I beg your pardon and patience my Mother, but we too wish to have the gift of color." The boy finished unable to hid the quiver in his voice. As he stepped back, he was relieved to see that The Keepers didn't seem angered. Instead, they seemed thoughtful, and Sister Wind and Brother Water seemed to be trying to hide a smile.

Sister Wind, who always struggled to stay quiet broke the silence with her breezy laughter, "You poor little ones." She said with a waive of her hand. "We should have considered that being as crystal would be undesirable. Who would desire to be covered in skin clear and unsubstantial as air, when you're surrounded by a world filled with color."

Grandfather Fire seemed to scowl, which filled People with fear. He was the most unpredictable of The Keepers and his feelings could only be guessed, "And what colors would you want to be adorned in? Not that we promise this gift you seek." His inquired his voice shaking the Earth like the first stirrings of a volcano.

Finding hope in Grandfather Fire's question, the dam of want was opened within People and they started to shout out the colors they loved and desired, "We want to be blue!" some called. "Green and gold!" others exclaimed. "We want to shimmer with many colors like the scales on the fish in the sea!" others shouted.

With a raise of her hand, Grandmother Earth silenced People, "All are great colors" she said calmly to People, "But you are children of Earth." she explained. "Blues, greens, oranges, pinks, purples. These belong to the creatures of the sky, water, and trees. Their colors are the symbol of our promise to watch over them. They were first but lesser than you, so these colors you cannot have. Your request can be granted, but as creatures bound to me, your skin will take on the warm colors found within the Earth." Grandmother Earth finished her obsidian eyes looking to the five other Keepers for agreement.

The other Keepers nodded in agreement, for of them all, Grandmother Earth was the wisest. So, to honor People's request the Keepers stood as one and sang their song of creation. The melody filled the with the sound of glaciers breaking, rock falling down a mountain, rivers raging, and sand in the wind. The song echoed off the hills surrounding them reminding People just how small they really are. As the song ended, People looked down at themselves.

Their colors were just as Grandmother Earth promised. Some were adorned in the color of bronze, others covered in the tan of weather worn copper, some were the warm browns of fertile Earth, and still others were a white splashed in pinks and browns. People looked at each other and marveled in the colors of their brethren. All offered the Keepers their thanks and promised to wear their colors well.

"The brave boy that spoke to the Keepers suddenly laughed with joy. "Some of us have eyes of blue, green, brown, and gray!" he exclaimed. "And look! Some even have hair the color of flame." Sister Wind, Brother Water Father Sky, and even Grandfather Fire smiled with mischief. Before Grandmother Earth could voice her displeasure at going against her desire that the colors be of Earth, Grandfather Fire patted her on the hand saying, "Now mother," he said with a chuckle. "You said their skin must be the colors of the Earth. You said nothing of the eyes or hair." For all his size, Grandfather Fire was somehow able to avoid the swat to the head which was Grandmother Earth's response when someone was more crafty than her.

Looking around and seeing the amusement in the eyes of her children and grandchildren, Grandmother Earth realized she was outnumbered and she had no choice but to sigh and accept People would now have eyes the color of earth, plant, and sea and some would wear hair the color of flame.

Though satisfied with the gifts given to People, Father Sky knew that they were young and often erred in their ways. So, he stood up with a stern look on his face. "Now People. You have been given a gift. I have watched you on high and have witnessed acts of greed, anger, arrogance, hatred, foolishness and pride in you" his eyes met the eyes of all People to make sure they were listening before he continued, "Know this. No matter what color covers you, you all walk on the same Earth and live under the same sky. None are greater or lesser, none more capable than another. Do not let these gifts puff you up and divide you, for you are all made of the same stuff, the color that adorns you is no deeper than your mortal shell."

The People nodded and promised to heed Father Sky's words and so they did for many generations. Sadly the memory of People is as finite as their lives and future generations would eventually forget Father Sky's sage words of warning. So, based on the color adorning them, some People would claim to be more blessed, smarter, wiser, and purer than others. They would forget that they all live under the same sky and walk upon the same Earth. The truth that their differing colors were all born from the same Earth would be ignored or lost on them. Finally, Mother Earth would weep as People's blood would be spilled upon her and Sister Wind would wail as she had no choice but to bear the sounds of suffering and misery as People killed in the name of a gift that was only skin deep.