I just want to be a woman passionate about my people and the world around me. The world can't hear the passion in my voice, only the bass.

When I say that I asked for no salt on my fries, they only pick up salt in my voice. I can't be a black woman without being assumed to be angry.

They want to know, "black woman, why are you so angry?" Maybe it's because you can't give me any other adjective to accompany the proper noun of Black Woman.

I try to be a hopeful black woman. Hoping that my passion doesn't come across too aggressively; hoping my words don't cut your ears because you assume black tongues are blades and only intend on cutting at society's flesh.

I try to be a humble black woman, because I know that my stilts won't stand a chance on top of your pointed opinions of me.

I try to be a loving black woman when I see my kings shot down off of their high horses; crowns cast away like old sheets of paper in a plastic only world.

Men, I want you to know that we do not have intentions on belittling. We are not angry at you, we support you. I know our love can be more prickly and harder to swallow, but it's only because society forgot to teach you how to eat your fish with bread; it helps the rough parts go down and always leaves you full.

Feminists, don't forget that we exist too. Don't forget that we bleed no matter how loud or how softly our voices tend to be. Being a woman is not the same as being a black woman, and until that is understood feminism will will never grow beyond white faces.

Little black girls, it is okay to roll your neck and be opinionated. It is up to you to grow up and tell the world that it is not anger. You believe in yourself and black girl magic. When they ask you why you are so loud, tell them because you can be and that loud is one of you many adjectives that will one day accompany Black Woman, along side vibrant, educated, and beautiful.

I am not angry. I'm disappointed that it has come to this. That I must explain myself in such an elementary way.

We can not support our fallen brothers without being accussed of jumping to the extreme. How is protecting my people going over board? If this was your family, would you not be moved?

When we say no, how is that more assertive than my white friends saying the same? Mouthing the same words, but somehow speaking a different language.

I am not angry. I am disappointed.