Rules of Chésus: Making the System Fit You with Ché Abram

“Black women have had to develop a larger image of society than perhaps any other group. They have had to understand white men, white women, and black men. And they have had to understand themselves. When Black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society.”

— Angela Davis

I grew up in a predominantly Black city: Oakland, California.

“Nigger!,” yelled at me by a car full of white males on my walk home from school in the eighth grade.

My parents were homeowners. My brother and I attended private Catholic schools. My teachers were 98% White. My classmates 98% Black. My neighborhood 98% Black. You are always so happy. White teeth against dark skin is just so beautiful.

Growing up I was told a cute story about how the paternal side of my family was White French and Black. It was the only part of the family history researched and bragged about. Therefore, moving through life I chose to focus on anything except being Black. During my mid-teens, my brother joined the Nation of Islam and the little bubble I created for myself received its first pinprick when he handed me The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Conversations with him led to me asking questions, though not enough to rock the boat; most bounced around my mind, never fully investigated. At the time, I was not ready to open the shades on the realities of being a Black woman in the world.