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Let’s Call It What It Is… Being Black In America Is Being Ignored (When Not Oppressed)
The grand ole strategy put into practice centuries ago is to either keep a foot on the neck of the Black community or to dismiss our existence entirely.
I’m 6'4", Black, and last I checked… male. Blending into the background is virtually impossible, especially in this country. I know, I’ve tried. This is beyond my control. When you are my height and, ahem… girth, you tend to stand out like an ogre about to devour little white children. At least this is how I’m often perceived.
I don’t typically enjoy being front and center so the thought of suspicious eyes glued to my every move is something I can do without. The mere thought of being shunned due to indifference or calculated ostracism, however, doesn’t appeal to me either but this too, is beyond my control.
It goes without saying that, if you are one of the 47.5M Black people in America, your presence isn’t always accepted (or welcomed).
Not everyone is concerned about keeping us in the background but many are, and those who feel this way will do whatever they can to make it happen.
