Mama and Daddy bought me a stuffed giraffe like this one to keep me company when they went away to a romantic hotel called Sybaris. I was alone a majority of the time as a young kid as I tried to find where I fit in the world and my family. There were so many times when my stuffed animals brought me comfort.
I’m hoping that my future children never have to experience the trauma that I have and that they never feel I’ll be mad at them for coming to me about anything. I know I won’t be able to shield them from everything, but I’d like to make sure that they are prepared for things that may come, particularly as young, Black children.
Watch June Chapelle talk about this beloved stuffed animal.