Jo Ann v.

© Jo Ann v.
Montpellier, France - July 4th 2005

Dear Santa...
I know I am quite late... Christmas was six months ago and I didn't take the time to thank you! After all, I am the most popular girl at school, so you must understand that my agenda is really overbooked lately! Principally since you gave me that wonderful Ferrari! Last year Porsche was really a mess... So outdated! Pleaaaaaase! Thank you for such a gift really!
Can you believe my father decided to change of plane? The Beechcraft is made of paper, he says. If we want to go to the Bahamas, we need a Cessna! I don't mind. Actually, a plane like Air Force One would be tremendous! Do you have those on stock? I hope you do, cause it means a lot for us... At least for me!
AAAAAAAAnyway! Do tell me... was that house in Beverly Hills the last left? You know, I AM the most popular girl in school and I have LOTS of friends! Ten rooms aren't enough if I want them to have a computer, a phone line and a private bathroom! And please! The bungalow for my brother ain't far away enough! Trust ME! Actually, a place for him to stay in Santa Monica would be just fine for me!
Since you're Santa and you can do anything and everything, please, could you erase the imperfection of my face on the cover of the magazine "America Beauty"? Nobody knows it's there, but *I* know! After all, it's my face!!
Who has the greatest blue eyes, the greatest Blonde hair of all America? I know you know it's me! Ashley Garland is in every magazine, in every Hollywood party... Ah, it's so great to be me, so wonderful to be this beautiful and so amazing to be sooooooo loved!
I'm a blessing to this world! Really really! What would Americans do without me?

"Thandie!"
The teen looked her grandmother.
"What are you doing? Don't you know you have to go now? Who's going to bring your father's meal? Stop writing your rubbish, it's about time you grow up! Life ain't in the books! You won't find a job with words! You got me?"
"Yes, gogo." she nodded.
"Now hurry! Your father is in jail, not the house next door!"
Thandie got up, put her pen and rolled up the notebook. She put them on her pockets, took the plastic bag her grandmother left over the table and left.
In the Kombi taxi, Thandie took the notebook out of her pocket and torn the page apart.

Dear Santa,
I know you exist. So please, listen.
My mother died last year of AIDS. My father is in jail cause he is unemployed and stole food for my brother Fezile and me. Fezile is younger than me, he goes to school. But I can't go to school, cause I have to work and help my gogo. Millie pap won't be made out of nothing and we need money. Gogo isn't too young either. She has diabetes and doesn't see too well.
Why does Ashley have all she wants while I am here, without being able to go to school?
Dear Santa, I know that it's not of your competence, but please... don't let me be just another Black girl in Soweto...