To my fellow humans,
I'm not black and I am an actual person. The color of my skin does not define who I am because I do not introduce myself by saying: "Hello, I'm black." I am a young male with a name given to me by my parents which I appreciate. I am more than my ethnic background and the accurate name you give the color of my skin.
My individual actions do not represent those of my entire race and with that understand that each individual is different in their own special ways. Look at each person as a snowflake, none like the other but all come from the same basic source of water. Yet we as people are very different we are also alike and shouldn't allow our differences to push us away from each other. My skin color or my other features do not determine what I like or how I present myself.
My actions that aren't typical of society's stereotypical view of African Americans does not mean I'm "acting white." The phrase I've heard my entire life for being quiet, respectful, positive, expressive of my educational background and multicultural is being considered white which is seen as a compliment among many groups of people. In the black community, "acting white" is considered such a bad thing rather than the fact I am growing into the person I want to be.
On the other side my race is not innocent because we put down anyone who is of lighter skin and takes on our culture's interest. As a result we consider them "acting black" and consider this a bad thing rather than them wanting to understand certain aspects of our culture. We create these walls and other boundaries that cause groups to exist and as a result conflict can arise due to ignorance. The easiest way break these walls down is to simply understand the other group as people and not the color of their skin.
Understand I am simply an individual and not the voice of all people who have the same color of skin as me. In my classes during school, I was one of few people of color and as a result people would look to me to answer questions on topics such as slavery or civil rights. "How does that make you feel as an African American male?" is something I've heard more times than I could ever count. I do not nor will speak for every "black" person who witnessed an innocent man's death. I am not anti-police because I believe my life isn't as valued as the next person's. What I do believe is that each life is precious and innocent people dying based upon mistakes or acts of pure hate is never OK.
My sense of style should not be deemed as inappropriate because it is a little different from what you are used to. My hairstyle is not unprofessional because it is naturally curly, and something you are not used to seeing on a day to day basis. I was once told that my "ethnic" look wouldn't be appropriate in a teaching position because it may influence students in a negative way. My "ethnic" hair is part of who I am, and it grows in a way many people in the teaching field are not used to. In that field I would be a minority so allow me to express myself in the way I know best: naturally.
I am someone's son, brother, mentor, teacher, teammate, friend and so much more. I am not black or white. I am my own person as you are your own individual life. I am not a label and will never be. My label that this world has given me is not who I am you are more than yours.
Thank you,
Another human that's not "black"
