"Dark matters"...

I spent most of my working life in a predominantly Black community. About half my coworkers were Black, and one of my two bosses was Black, and the atmosphere was usually pretty happy. Thirty years have brought a lot of changes in the way people perceive, but not enough.

Some stories, some changes...

A Black mother noting with exasperation that once again, one of her short children had been placed in the back row in the school class photos: would not happen today.

Going shopping with my conservatively dressed and coiffed Black friend, and having store security follow us in every single shop. Likely still going on, but I hope not.

I remember being shocked when I heard several young Black women discussing some Cuban sailors they'd met the night before, because one said "He was so black he was purple - I wouldn't go out with him." And the others laughed and agreed. But that was thirty years ago, and I don't know a black woman now who would say such a thing.

My coworkers, thirty years ago, wearing their hair natural for the first time since childhood, and finally, twenty years ago, feeling free to do any damn thing they liked with it. But little girls still freaking out when their braids come out in the swimming pool "My mother will kill me!"

Learning how to comb and braid hair as a result of above.

Banks got colour blind. It became much easier for Black families to get loans and mortgages.