I am privileged to attend a university where diversity and integration is encouraged. Although, I've had the same circle of friends since my Freshman year I still get stares, expressions,and comments when people see me and my college friend group. I never take it as disrespect, but more as interest.

We all look and are so different; I think people just wonder what all of us could have in common. The squad and I take pride in our multicultural group. After three years of friendship with the same people and hearing so much rubbish it is time for me to address some of the misconceptions people have when Black people have White friends.

1. We Only Listen to Certain Kinds of Music

The best part about having friends from other races is that you can bring your worlds together. I have always loved all kinds of music: Rap, Soca, R&B, Pop, Rock etc. When you widen your friend circle across races, ethnicities, nationalities you tend to find more of an appreciation for other kinds of music. My iTunes is so mixed. I can belt out Fall Out Boy lyrics in one breath, whine to a Konshens song the next, and hit my Quan right after. I don't only listen to anything.

2. We Only Date White People

First things first, this is false. For people to assume that just because your friend group is predominately one race that you are only attractive to that race is wrong. Speaking for myself, I love chocolate; I always have. Does that mean that if Ryan Gosling woke up tomorrow morning and decided that I was the love of his life I would turn him down? Absolutely not! Truth be told I am attracted to men. Black, White, Latino whatever. My childhood celebrity crushes were Nick Jonas & Lil’ Romeo…hello! It doesn’t get any more black AND white then that!

Oh, and for all the Black/White people that think it's appropriate to ask someone if they are attracted to X race before even learning their name...it's not. Even if we are attracted to X race that doesn't mean we're automatically attracted to you.

3. We Only Eat Certain Kinds of Foods

I did not know eating Pita Chips, Brie cheese, and drinking beer was considered “white people shxt”.?! Yes, some ignorant person said this to me this past summer. Food is food! I eat sushi, pumpkin spice flavored things, and veggie platters, but will still grab for some Roti and Curry Chicken. There is no such thing as Black People food. If I want fried chicken I’ll eat it and if I want hummus right after, then I’ll eat that too!

4. We Are Not Aware of Social Injustices to Our People

Nothing will keep me blind to the social inequities in the world; especially injustices that effect my people. My entire family is Black how could I possibly turn my back on the issues that impact us? There is a misbelief that based on a person’s social group they are not as “woke” as other people are. NOT! As a person of color in this world it is important for me to be aware of all injustices regardless of who my friend group is.

5. We Grew Up Around White People

People always assume that because some of my closest friends are White that I was a part of one of those Black families who lived in a predominately White neighborhood and therefore I was the token Black child in town, which is why I can get along with White people better…nope.

I grew up in Brooklyn, NY. My elementary, middle, and high school’s demographic consisted of African American, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino children. And I loved it. I did not enter my college years on a conquest to abandon those races and seek out companionship from White people. I just happened to become really close really quickly with people who were a different shade than me.

6. We Talk White

Please, don’t get me started on this. Race has no sound. That’s all.