Disclaimer: Amiana Tyransky declined to participate in the writing of this story, despite several attempts made by myself to contact her.
As a rising sophomore in the summer of 2015, I struggled with the question, “Do I return to American University or do I transfer to another school?” While there were a few highlights during my freshman year, I was forced to navigate obstacles of mental health and overcome academic setbacks. When it was all said and done, I decided to come back to American University as a new and improved Ryan Shepard. I have a new major, new job and new dorm. It's a completely fresh start. I began the 2015-2016 school year with one motto to define my fall semester, “Miss me with the bullsh*t.” I am at American University to advance my academic, extracurricular and professional interests. I am not interested in putting up with drama and disrespect and I am not definitely not here for objectification and microaggressions.
This past week, drama, disrespect, objectification and microaggressions were all rolled into one Instagram post by an American University freshman by the name of Amiana Tyransky. On August 27 at 10:32 p.m., Tyransky posted a picture of herself and her friends wearing all black tops with the caption, “all black just like we like our men (maybe).” While a good joke can be witty and humorous, this does not fall into that category. People say they like their coffee black. Others will say they like their tea black. I’ve even heard some say they like their hot dogs and burgers black, but never their men. Saying that you like your men black is objectifying myself and all other black men in the world. Black men are not coffee, tea or any other item. They’re people, and all of the black men I surround myself with have enough self-respect to avoid women who objectify them. Everybody is allowed to be attracted to whomever they are attracted to, but objectifying who you may be attracted to is not acceptable. In short, as a black man, I would not date her, or any other girl that feels it's okay to objectify a black body.
Unfortunately this nightmare of an Instagram post continued to light a fire in the AU community when private conversations, in which Tyransky attempted to justify her Instagram caption, were made available on Twitter. In these conversations, Tyransky made statements like, “Black is not a race,” and, “I am not racist. People have the saying, ‘I like my coffee like I like my men.'” First things first, if you’re not aware, race is a social construct that is used to group people of similar physical characteristics together. Yes, black is a race, and black is a color. Arguing that black is just a color and not a race is the same as arguing that white is just a name for a color and not a race. Furthermore, just because there is an old saying, “I like my coffee like I like my men,” doesn’t mean it’s any less offensive. Redskin is an old name for an NFL team, but it’s still an offensive term. “That’s gay,” is a commonly used phrase in certain areas, but it’s still offensive. It doesn’t matter how commonly used something is, because being commonly used doesn’t make something immune from being offensive.
Above all else, what has bothered me most about this incident is how many people have come to Tyransky’s defense. There have been many on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook that have defended her actions by saying critics are being overly sensitive, overreacting, etc. To those who defend Tyransky’s statement, I ask you to do one thing and miss me with the bullsh*t. Do not tell those who are offended how to react. If you have never been in the shoes of a black man, do not tell me how to react. I do not tell people how to react to issues regarding their race or gender, so I ask you to give me that same respect. Tyransky has a right to post whatever she wishes, but I have the right to react and write any type of response article I wish. Just because someone intends for something to be a joke, doesn’t mean I have to take it as a joke. There is no “ha ha” over here. In addition, I would like to personally ask why American University Public Safety decided to call certain students in response to their comments about the picture. Asking where a student lives, especially in Anderson Hall where their names are plastered on the door, is not an invasion privacy or a threat. If a student comments on Twitter and wants to know what floor a student is on, so he/she can speak to them about an offensive comment, it should be encouraged. We’re college students, not thugs. We know how to to be civilized when the occasion calls for it. Why doesn't American University Public Safety call Amiana Tyransky and lecture her about her offensive joke? Don’t tell me how to act. Don’t tell me when or when not to laugh at a joke. Do not send me some email about how American University strives to create an inclusive environment. I’m an intelligent, self-respecting black male who can see right right through that. You can miss me with the bullsh*t.
