Going to a predominantly white school wasn't bad at all. I learned a lot about myself, and I definitely learned about the kids in my class.
For years I was the only black kid in my grade, and let me tell you, it was hilarious at times. The questions and comments that I would get about my life. Here are 25 things that I had to deal with when being the only black person in my class:
1. That awkward moment when your teacher would talk about slavery and every student would turn around and look at you.
Looks like I'll be going to the nurse's office for the whole class period....again! Social Studies was the worst 45 minutes of my life. All I could think of was "please don't look at me...OH GOD HE'S LOOKING BACK AT ME!"
2. When people tell you that you sound “white.”
Wow, I didn't know that you can talk like a certain color? I wonder how it feels like to speak like a blue person. I think the correct term is proper, that's all. Any race can speak proper.
3. Being asked by your white friends if they can say the n-word around you.
Dude, if you have to ask, then don't say it at all.
4. When the teacher tries super hard to be sensitive and not read the n-word in a book, drawing attention to you on whether it’s okay to say or not.
"Okay students, on page 45, the n-word is used. If you don't feel comfortable saying it, then you don't have to!" *Teacher then quickly glances at me for a millisecond*
5. Getting asked “so what part of Africa are you from?”
That awkward moment when YOU don't know what part of Africa your parents are from.
6. Being told “I don’t really see you as black.”
I'm just going to leave this here. What do you see me as then?
7. When people feel that it is okay to just touch your hair!
"Why is your hair like that?" BECAUSE! And why are you so fascinated with it?
8. EVERYONE always thought you were good at basketball.
And then when people found out that you were actually terrible...
9. When people assume that you can't swim because you are black...
Even when you participated on a swim team and now you are a lifeguard...
10. Having a simple name but the teacher always finds a way to mess it up.
“John Haggersputapplebottom?” “Here!” “Sally VanBoogerhousenbobbagaloo?” “Present!” “Okay sorry if I mess this up… T-T-T-Tyrone Smith? Did I say that right?”
11. “OH-EM-GEE I don’t know why but I just pictured you with blonde hair that was so weird LOL! Black people can't wear blonde hair!”
Yes, someone actually said this to me...
12. Everyone thinks you and [another random black person] look alike.
I swear...EVERYONE thinks that you guys are related in some way.
13. Hearing “you’re so pretty for a black girl!”
Excuse me, but do you not realize how offensive this is? Goodbye!
14. Everyone thought you knew how to automatically twerk or dance.
*Dies on the inside*
15. "Hey, can you show us how to 'whip'?"
You know what? No comment...
16. Dealing with sensitive white people who try super hard to make you comfortable by apologizing for what their ancestors did, but end up making you feel UNCOMFORTABLE.
Like #1, every time our class would talk about slavery or watch a video about Jim Crow, my classmates would look at me differently and act nicer towards me. They would feel sorry for me and go, "I'm so sorry my ancestors did that to yours, do you want some of my teddy grams?"
17. Fried Chicken and Watermelon jokes…
Seriously? Fun fact: I don't like chicken.
18. Being called an "Oreo" by your peers.
Wow, how original! Soo funny!
19. When everyone thinks you can rap….
Yeah, I know! Or even roast people at the lunch table.
20. “So do black people tan too?”
W H A T?
21. Coming to school with Caribbean food and everyone would constantly ask you questions at lunch.
My lunch was always so good! Everyone would always want to know what it was and why it smelled so weird.
22. “Your mom is from the Caribbean? Did she live in a hut growing up?”
I literally remember telling my mom and she let out the loudest laugh.
23. "So if Martin Luther King Jr. didn't give the 'I Have a Dream' speech, you wouldn't be sitting in this classroom with all of us today right?"
YES, THIS WAS SAID TO ME IN SECOND GRADE! She didn't mean any harm obviously because our teacher was telling us about MLK, but looking back I am still shook!
24. Wearing braids in your hair and taking them out, and then coming back to school with your natural hair and everyone assumes you got a “haircut.”
This was so funny to me! All of a sudden my hair went from long braids to short natural hair within 24 hours. And it's funny because people thought that I really cut my hair. When I would come in with braids, everyone would ask me "OMG how did your hair grow so fast?"
25. No matter what absurd questions people ask you, you brush them off and laugh it off because you're unapologetically black!
Love the skin that you're in honey!
