For most of my 19 years on this earth, I have felt that I don’t fit in. Since I was a young child, I knew that I was “different.” Growing up in suburbia, the majority of my peers didn’t look like me. I didn’t notice much difference because I was used to having friends who were white but as I grew up, my older cousins would call me an “oreo” and I became increasingly aware that I was, in fact, different. I always have been though and that’s okay. In almost every setting that I have been in, I’ve noticed ways that I’ve felt like the odd one out, sometimes people have done it on purpose and other times I allowed myself to feel as such.

Some things that readily come to mind, particularly during my matriculation through school, are that I was always too white for the black kids and too black for the white kids. I was never enough of either to completely fit in. Perhaps I was too loud or ethnic to fit in with my Caucasian peers who were always calm but I was also too quiet and not hip enough to hang with my African-American counterparts who always seemed to be excited. Even in college this was true.

I would rather binge watch "The Justice League" TV shows and "Avengers" movies than party and drink all night (Though I do love to have a good time, don’t get me wrong, just not doing those things)

I don’t know all the latest hip-hop songs and was given many a side eye when I would play “white people” music----but music has no race, to be honest.

I don’t have very much rhythm at all so you know what that means---no twerking for me (Shout out to my parents)

Even going back to my faith life, I am Non-denominational opposed to Baptist which apparently all black people are- who knew?

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard, “You’re so white, Piersen!” in my life. It’s crazy to me, because what does that even mean? Most times it’s meant jokingly, others as a jab, but seriously...what do you mean? I heard these things primarily throughout middle and high school, I suppose not many people were aware black people actually can (and do) speak proper English or enjoy music that isn't hip-hop and r&b.

The more I looked, the more it seemed as if I was being boxed in by layers upon layers of stereotypes and stigmas of what a typical black, Christian, woman should look like and being me is a constant fight to break out of that. The thing is, none of these categories are monolithic. Being Black, Christian, and a woman means something different and is experienced differently to everyone who identifies as such. The beauty of intersectionality is that my experiences are my own.

So, next time you’re feeling out of place, ask yourself why? Is it because you don’t fit the mold that our society has perpetuated onto you since birth? If so, great, continue to be yourself unapologetically. You may not be an oreo like me but whatever you are, keep it up. I believe that people like us, who have dibble and dabbled in different social circles and hobbies, are what make the world go round.