I sat with a group of friends listening to Kanye West's newest album, "The Life of Pablo." "Ultralight Beam" had practically been on repeat. So, imagine this: My friend, his girlfriend, and I. One could say that we are all pretty in touch with black culture. Then, there are a couple of our friends who enjoy reaping the benefits of black culture. You know the saying. "Everyone wants to be a ni**a, until it's time to be a ni**a."

Chance the Rapper has a line in "Ultralight Beam" that blatantly references the show, "Martin." And no, it has nothing to do with the civil rights activist.

None of the non-black people around us could even tell you what "Martin" was when we pointed out the reference. This really got me to thinking. Was this show where they drew the line? Kanye was one thing, but to have a show with an all-black leading cast was obviously too much.

Non-black people will not remember Kanye for his bold statement in 2005 about George Bush hating black people. Rather, they will remember him for his antics involving Taylor Swift, and what seems to be his apathy towards them saying the N-word while singing along to his music.

How many of these same people remember the "pink polo" Kanye? Or was his blackness only accepted after it was diluted by the Kardashian wave?

I started thinking about when my blackness is unacceptable and when it is not. As a singing actor, I find that it's accepted when I need to fit that "independent woman who don't need no man" archetype. Yet, my choice to love and express who I am as a black woman outside of that stereotype is considered an overbearing fad.

What about Rihanna? If I have to explain that she isn't singing gibberish in "Work" one more time... Was her blackness satisfactory until she chose to speak in a dialect you did not understand?

Here's the kicker. You ready for it? Were our cornrows, locs, and brown skin too black until it was paired with white skin? Because, I can assure you that they were too black when you weren't worried about people being kicked out of school, denied job opportunities, and even killed for something with which they were born and that has always been a part of their culture.

So riddle me this, scared non-blacks. At what point is my blackness safe enough for you? Is it if I allow you to walk around saying the N-word? Or is it if I allow you to continue to overtly sexualize my people by referring to us as "chocolate" and saying you have "jungle fever"?

Before you start singing about how you're getting in Formation and how you "miss the old Kanye," take the time to learn the context of the music. No one is saying that you cannot listen unless you are black. But, you should darn well have a pretty good knowledge of the culture. Without true knowledge, you have chosen to appropriate the culture, rather than appreciate it.