Last week, I was asked why I loved being black. I wasn't offended by question at all, and responded with how good of a question it was. I love being black because this is the only category that I enjoy being placed in by society. I accept my blackness. I am surrounded daily by beautiful black individuals on a black campus intending to get a higher education. You see, what others don't understand is that I proud to be black because the people who look just like me succeed every day. They're constantly making strives to do and be better, to be seen as better, and to live better. See, this is the only category I love because aside from being a woman I am a Black woman who loves her caramel skin and black tresses. I love the history, the odyssey, and the story of many blacks before me. When categorized on paper, I see and choose black.

Category: /ˈkadəˌɡôrē/ noun: a class or division of people or things regarded as having particular shared characteristics.

When filling out demographics I never hesitate when choosing my race. In fact, I almost choose unconsciously because my hand knowingly chooses for me.

Please indicate the race/ethnicity that describes you below:

1. Caucasian/White
2. African American/Black
3. Native American and Alaskan American
4. Hispanic American
5. Other

In honor of my lineage, I choose not to disown my culture do to cultural appropriations. I would not be choosing ‘other’ or “I prefer not say’ on anything, not even, banking applications that give special incentives to one particular race (a race that will not be mentioned due to the focus of praising the black race and not making it a topic of discrimination).

When asked why I choose black aside from that being my race, I responded with, “I have a lot to be proud of being black…You see:

1. My black is BEAUTIFUL.

In the black community I am surrounded by many sizes and shades. The battle of light skin or dark skin doesn’t matter to me because each and every one of those light or dark skin individuals are uniquely beautiful on their own. #Melanin Each curvy, stick-figure, voluptuous woman and muscular, stick-figure man makes me in awe of the shades of black in different shapes and sizes.

2. My black is MOVEMENT.

Fight the power! My race is one race that voices ring loud. As a black individual I bask in our intensity and range. In black history we have impacted every industry; engineering, chemistry, astrology, medical science, music, art, television, and many more. Our voices speak loud even in quiet. Our movement may not be fluid due to the obstacles in our way but its music, curving seamlessly through the cracks.

3. My black is UNITED.

We are the one race that stands united in times of praise and struggle. Though we don’t have the best relationship among each other. We make a huge standout when it’s important. We stand together, cry together, and protest together.

4. My black is IT.

Honestly I couldn’t choose to be anything else. My black is it, it’s everything that I want, it’s shelter, it’s harsh freedom, and it’s resilience.

5. My black is MY CHOICE.

In the words of my favorite Spelman song, “It’s my choice and I choose to change the world.”

“I have seen the best of you, and the worst of you, and I choose both.” ― Sarah Kay