The most meaningful compliment I've ever received

My student, Florentine, raised her hand to share what she had written during our “Black is Beautiful” session today. (Skin whiteners have a huge market in Benin, and the desire to have skin that is the color of my skin is strong. This, though, is not the post to talk about that.) The instructions for the final question on her worksheet was to write what two internal aspects of her partner’s character she admired.

She chose me.

When she was called on, she stood up strong and proud. Stronger and prouder than I remember standing when I was 15 years old. 

“I love Madame Emily’s beauty,” she says. “I love her strength. I love her bravery.”

Sometimes camps are as much for the counselors as for the campers.