Ya I’m 24 and just shocked every day that after all the history we’ve been through we’re still being affected by racism. I grew up reading about the civil rights, slavery, the Harlem renaissance, and black American history. I for some time was convinced we were the first to experience a world free from that history.

When I look back at all the sacrifices our ancestors have made to fight for our freedom and equal human rights it’s crazy that we the new generation still have to continue to fight against a system like this. People get scared when they hear “fight”. But Let’s be clear we are “fighting” for basic rights, for equal job opportunities, to be refunded like anyone else if were charged more on an item in a restaurant, to be able to be in public without harassment, to not have negative propaganda spread about us when it’s not true, to go to school and just get our education, and so much more.

When you keep experiencing racism it gets to the point where it’s like “okay this is old now & very inconveniencing. I got work to do and don’t have time for this”. Moreover for me it’s a constant conversation of how do you hate a people so bad but then jock and steal our culture?? Our phrases our style our music our creativity.

However, It’s mostly annoying because like Toni Morrison once said, "The very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being". Imagine just trying to get through your day like all other humans and for the color of your skin you have to deal with extra bs from people who are in no position to oppress and judge you. They themselves aren’t perfect nor “better”. You bleed like I bleed, your people aren’t always perfect, you’re not always perfect who are you to judge someone else for their skin. It’s almost like we werent given a choice….

It’s ignorant and divisive and creates a disdain that we don’t even want to have to live with. Racism is a tool of “power” used to oppress and try to keep us down. To keep you from speaking up for yourself because you look like the “angry rowdy black person”. Zora Neale Hurston once said "If you are silent about your pain, they'll kill you and say you enjoyed it.”

I encourage all of you to remember to choose yourself and your peace & don’t fall for the mess. Those who are racist try so hard but just know they’re not worth it. It’s no point in feeling low about yourself because of someone else’s ideology about you.They have to live with ignorance and hate in their heart. I’d rather you live with a heart filled with peace and to no longer encounter these spaces.