I've been working around young women in their early to mid-twenties the past few months. Many of them just graduated from college and/or still lived with their parents who made their lunches- side note: mom, I know you're in Florida, but I would love for you to send several vegetarian/vegan meals for my lunches so I wouldn't have to take the time- thanks in advance. Most of our conversations involved pop culture, music and of course fashion- basically a one sheet of topics. I enjoyed being around them, all of the young ladies have amazing personalities. One day a conversation about previous job experiences led to discussing age. After they spoke about their first jobs (for some they were at it) when the question came to me, I let them know mine was many years ago. They were shocked, thinking I may have been referring to an internship, but I wasn't. They proceeded to ask how old I was, so I said in my 30's and their jaws dropped. Out of their disbelief, they told me there's no way I could be "that old", they assumed I was around their age- but you know what they say about assuming right? I didn't understand why they couldn't grasp their mind around it...I didn't say mid 50's. But I get it, one of my nephews who is 4, thinks I'm ancient and when I was in my early 20's anyone above 30 was old to me as well. I mean what could I respond back with other than, "black don't crack, it's the melanin baby"! I proceeded to tell them that I take care of my skin, I'm conscious of the food I eat, I don't smoke cigarettes, I workout, pray and meditate not much more to it than that.
It's interesting when people can't place you in a box they become overzealous with trying to figure out why. There's no mystery, we can be different and it's okay to accept it and leave it. The age talks started to become obsessive. I essentially wanted to take a page out of my friends Weeza and Rashawn's books and speak around it or channel my inner Aaliyah and say "Age Ain't Nothin' But A Number". I was even called a vampire...a VAMPIRE! I love vampire movies so, actually being called one by a girl was funny, I wasn't even slightly offended. I told myself I'll be the fiercest vampire since Angela Bassett in "A Vampire in Brooklyn"- because who wouldn't? Age has not ever played a factor in my life and I don't see it becoming one. I hope you all feel that way too. Don't ever let the opinions of others make you feel awkward, it's their hang-up, not yours. So I say, be you, be true and vamp on!
This was Angela Bassett in, "A Vampire in Brooklyn", the movie came out in 1995. Look at a picture of her now and she looks exactly the same! Flawless.