I'm just going to give this disclaimer right off the bat, in case there are some of you super sensitive ones out there who might freak out in response to the things I'll be saying here this week. It isn't so much because I don't want to offend someone--trust me, I'll never have that problem--as much as it is because I want to shed light on a topic that I'm sure many black people can relate to, especially when they've grown up in predominately white neighborhoods, or schools. And don't get me wrong, I honestly don't mind comments like these, as I've had plenty of time to get used to them. But some of these, range from trying to be funny to being racially ignorant--you'll know which ones when you see them. Alright, now that's out of the way, let's get started, shall we?
1. Can I Touch Your Hair?
Translation: It looks so different than mine, I wanna touch it.
2. Your Hair Feels So Different
Translation: It's kinda soft, not what I was expecting
3. You Don't Sound Black
Translation: Oh, you enunciate things. That's different. Most black people I see talk ghetto.
4. What Do You Mean You Don't Listen to Rap?
Translation: I thought all black people listened to it.
5. I Might Be Blacker Than You!
Translation: You don't act like any of the other black guys out there. Compared to them, you're whiter than I am!
6. Not to be Racist, But...
Translation: I'm about to say something racist. Just wanted to give you a heads up.
7. Holy Cow! Where'd You Go? (At Night, or in a Darkened Room)
Translation: I can't see you anymore! You've blended in with the darkness because of your skin!
8. You Can Drop a Beat, Right?
Translation: I assume, since you're black, that automatically makes you capable of dropping sick rap lyrics.
9. No Offense, But...
Translation: Prepare to get offended.
10. Do You Prefer Being Called Black, or African-American?
Translation: I'm too afraid to distinguish the two because one might sound more racist than the other.
11. That Happened Ages Ago, Get Over it, Already.
Translation: All of your ancestors's struggles don't mean anything anymore.
12. No One Sees Color In America Anymore.
Translation: I don't want to see the bigger picture here.
13. *Says anything in Ebonics*
This doesn't even need a translation, really. It's just sad to see and hear.
14. Do You Know Him? *Points to random black dude across the street*
Translation: I assume, since the two of you are black, you must be well acquainted.
15. You Like Fried Chicken and Watermelon, Right?
Translation: Every other black person I've met likes them, do you also?
If there are any that you think I might have missed, please feel free to add them in the comments. Have a blessed day, everyone.
