From the time I started kindergarten to now, white faces in the school environment have surrounded me. Although I will be forever grateful that my parents made a huge point to teach me that my blackness is beautiful, they could never protect me from the overwhelming whiteness that I experienced during school.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Kent State University with my whole heart, but I’d be lying if I said coming to this school wasn’t a culture shock. It’s not the fact that I had never been around white people before, it’s the fact that, 1. I’ve never been around so many white people before, and 2. I’ve never been around white people who were not used to being around black people. So, this article is dedicated to the many experiences my fellow black students and me have endured during our years of higher education.
1. Someone always has to bring up affirmative action and why it’s so hard to be white.
This is problematic for so many reasons that I could probably write five more articles on the topic. But I’ll keep it short and sweet: I am very happy that you think that I’m only here because I’m black, that you think being black means I’m automatically less qualified, and that my blackness comes before my credentials.
2. You get asked, maybe three times a month, an ignorant question about you hair.
Yes, I understand that my hair is different from yours, and yes, it’s okay to ask questions about things you’re curious about. What I’m talking about are the questions that should’ve been eliminated through common sense. Here are some real life examples of stupid questions I’ve been asked.
“Is your hair flammable?”
“When you wash your hair, does it smell like mildew?”
“Do you wash your hair?”
3. There is always that one smartass who wants to claim that things like BET and Black History Month is racist.
Just stop while you’re ahead. And read a book on black history while you’re sitting in silence.
4. What's even worse than the person from number 3 is the person who claims to be "colorblind" and doesn't see race.
Bye, I want you to see my blackness. Bask in the glory of my melanin, because it's beautiful. I want you to see my flawless braid out, I want you to notice how gorgeous Flat Out Fabulous by MAC looks on my chocolate skin. And most importantly, I want you to see the strength of my people that radiates through my blackness. Nobody wanted to be colorblind when my people were getting killed over sitting in the wrong spot, so I'll be damned if you ignore my blackness now.
5. The white fraternities and sororities always claim to be diverse because of two token black members.
No shade to those who choose to rush the white Greek chapters, but please don’t act like you’re not in a sea of white fish, and please don’t act like diversity means one person of color. Get out of my face.
6. Someone always has to ask you to teach them how to twerk.
I don’t meet a white person and ask them how to teach me how to clap off beat to music, because I certainly don’t assume all white people can do the same thing. But, to clarify: how does one clap off beat? Just curious.
7. When someone says, “You’re not like the rest of ‘them’,” or says that you speak “white.”
This is the easiest way to piss off a black person with any kind of sense. 'Talking white' is not a compliment, because no offense, but being white is not a standard for all things good. Second, who are “them” and why are “they” so bad? When I ask that question, everybody wants to shut up.
8. That awkward moment when you meet that awkward white liberal who feels the need to apologize for their ancestors' actions.
Contrary to popular belief, I do not wish to be treated like my race is the superior race to make up for the atrocities of the past. I just want to be recognized as the person that I am and I want to be able to be pro-black without making others uncomfortable. Although the concept of white power involves being superior to other people, that doesn’t mean black people feel the same way about black power. It’s an odd concept to grasp, but if we wanted to lynch white people, we would have already done so. Sorry that my people are not known for treating every other race terribly, but that is your own internal guilt and I am not here to relieve you of that.
9. Then, when you go to the multicultural center, there is always that black person who takes black pride too far.
Yes, it is amazing that you took a few Pan-African Studies courses and I am so happy you are gaining a sense of consciousness about your heritage, but please relax just a little bit. I’m sorry but sometimes I want to listen to Justin Bieber and shop at Urban Outfitters and get frozen yogurt with that sexy white man from my communications class. None of those things make me any less black or any less proud of my culture. It’s okay to interact with white people y’all.
10. Speaking of the sexy white man in my communications class, interracial dating at predominantly white colleges opens up some weird doors.
Anyone who knows me knows I love boys of all shades and colors. I just like boys. But the worst part of dipping into the vanilla ice cream carton is the weirdos who fetishize black women. No, I am not pretty for a black woman. No, I am not here to check off a box off your bucket list. And no, I am not here to make your parents mad.
11. Going to white parties means experiencing cultural appropriation at it’s finest.
Someone please tell me the last time you went to a frat party where a white artist made the majority of the music they were playing. Or where they weren’t screaming the n-word whenever they had the chance. These are the same people who roll their eyes at #BlackLivesMatter, yet they know all the lyrics to every Future song. Someone explain this madness. Someone explain how black culture can be idolized but black people are not. Bye y’all.
Overall, I love my university and I have so much love for the majority of the people on this campus. Although I wish there was more equal representation when it comes to black people in school, we all can admit we as a society have come so far. What's most important is that we remember no one is defined by their race, and yes, I can wash my hair.
