22. ‘One Christmas Eve’ by Langston Hughes
Mary’s Diary, Exile, Day 1
I was awoken by a human sitting on the sofa I now claim as my own. They did not seem intimidated by my ferocious warning to them, but they did, however, allow me to continue my slumber with little to no disturbance. They have been quick to replace ma précieuse eau* in the morning and my sustenance recipient appears to be well-stocked.
The story I have been requested to read today struck a chord within me. We, chattes noires**, are still wrongly regarded as omens of ill luck, despite our clear superiority as a species. Humans appear to be sometimes giant ignoramuses especially in regards to prejudice and superstition.
* fr. my precious water
fr. black cats
—
Racism doesn't pause for Christmas, unfortunately. It's a sad, heartbreaking story. But as Dickens was saying, “On Christmas Day, we will shut out from our fireside, Nothing”. However upsetting and surreal this might seem for some, this is the cruel reality others have to live. You may think it's not as bad in 2021 as it was in the early 1930s, but there are so many communities around the world that are treated in the exact same way… From black cats, as Mary was saying, to people of non-white ethnic backgrounds.
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