A Story About Being Dominican and Dark-Skin

I remember I sat in a meeting for a friend’s company in 2016 with people who were successful in so many different walks of life. Everyone was asked to introduce themselves. I remember saying: “I’m Claudio Cabrera and I lead SEO at NYT and I’m releasing a book in March 2017 titled “Y Tu Eres Dominicano/a” focused on race and colorism within the Dominican community.” When I said what I was working on in front of that room, it elicited a lot of “Wow’s” and “That’s much needed” which made me feel good. After the introduction’s, people began to ask me about the book. It’s been three years and six months since that day. I haven’t released my book. I remember when it was my turn I added the book part because I knew it would elicit a positive, intrigued reaction. I didn’t say it because I had worked on it or was finishing it. I said it because I felt insecure in a room even though I had no reason to. I said it because I was in a space in my life where I just came off a breakup and needed something to feel good about myself. You ever been in a room that despite everything you’ve ever accomplished you try to come up with something that makes “you feel” like you’re level with everyone else? Maybe you feel smaller? You ever try to compete with others when you should only compete with yourself? There were only two things that I said that were true that day: my name and my job.