I can turn any conversation into a Race conversation

It’s a talent really. I can tell that my friends are starting to get fed up with this particular talent, and I’m shamelessly refusing to put them out of the misery. It’s fun to see them try and find topics that I can’t possibly bring race into, and it’s even more fun to watch the eye rolls when I prove them wrong.

They try to bring up fun, lighthearted topics like “how Disney gave me unrealistic expectations”. This is an easy one of course. Disney gave you unrealistic expectations because you don’t have cute critters cleaning your house? Let’s discuss how Princess Tiana was the first Disney Princess who even kinda looked like me, and she spent most of the movie as a frog. Check.

“Let’s discuss how stupid it is to sort an 11 year old by House and have them segregate within the school based on the House values.”

Ha, let’s discuss how there are like 5 confirmed non-white characters in Harry Potter and how that’s possible when it’s one of only 3 wizarding schools in Europe. Check.

I also like bringing it up in serious conversations that are seemingly not about race.

“Minimum wage is actual shit.”

It really is, let’s discuss how black and non-white people are paid 70% less than white people.

“Covid-19 is causing unemployment rates among American’s to skyrocket”

True, and did you know that by August unemployment rates for white workers was 7.3% while it was 13% for black workers?

It’s genuinely one of my favorite things to do, bringing up race where it doesn’t seem to go. And despite what you may think, I’m not doing it to annoy my friends. I’m doing it, because race affects me in every aspect of my life. From my skin and hair products to my clothes to my job to my hobbies.

And I’m tired of not talking about it just to make whyte people feel comfortable.

When I go to a concert with my friends and I am the only black spot around, I bring it up. We even play the “count the non-white people” game and while that’s a truly odd game to play, I bring it up because I’m uncomfortable.

That’s right, I’m uncomfortable being the only black person surrounded by thousands of white folks and I like to play off my discomfort with humor.

When I bring up the fact that we just watched 4 ads and none of them featured even 1 person of color — it’s because I noticed…and it made me uncomfortable.

I ask if I’m going to be the only black person at a party because I need to mentally prepare myself for being around only white people. And if I don’t mentally prepare, then get ready for some seriously uncomfortable comments and jokes.

For you, and many of my friends, you’re tired of it. You just want to go 5 minutes without race being brought up. And let me tell you, me too. Like, can I just shop without being followed? Please?

Can I just walk out of the walmart with my cart without being stopped and asked for my recite please? Would it be too hard to not have my friends make me the end all be all for black people feelings and thoughts? Please? Just — don’t ask me if it’s okay to say the N word. Don’t ask me what is the PC term for black folk now. I don’t fucking know and just because I have an opinion does NOT mean I speak for the entire race. Geeze.

This is not an apology. I am not sorry that I make you uncomfortable talking about race all of the time. I’m not sorry that you just want a break and can’t seem to get it with me around. I’m not sorry that every single topic can be turned into a race topic.

But I am sorry that you don’t understand why I do it. And I’m sorry it upsets you. Not gonna stop — but my intent isn’t to upset you.

Just for funsies, here are more topics I can turn to race:

Clothes — are designed for euro-centric bodies

Makeup — never match my skin tone…and I’m light skinned so there are more options out there for me than my dark skinned Queens.

TV — not enough black people

Movies — not enough black people

Christianity — not enough admitting that these were black people

My hometown farmers market — on Cheapside…..yes that’s the name of the street you guys. Cheapside…where you could buy cheap slaves.

Seriously, give me a topic and I’ll tell you how I can put race into it.