17 Struggles All Suburban Black Kids Know Too Well by Pedro Fequiere
- Meeting that one friend’s parent that you didn’t know was racist
- Being the prime suspect of whatever was stolen at a house party
- Your parents encouraging you to make friends with the only other black kids in the neighborhood even though you have your own friends
- Not understanding all black culture references because you didn’t have as many black friends to experience them with
- People coming back from spring break and comparing their tan to your skin
- Searching far and wide for a salon that can do your hair
- And people freely touching and grabbing your hair
- Being called an Oreo, because… you’re not reeaally black
- People assuming you’re good at any and all sports
- Everyone looking to you to explain and demonstrate new dance crazes
- People dialing their slang up a couple notches when talking to you
- Swimming in a neighbor’s pool and having everyone marvel at how your hair reacts to water
- People assuming that you have a huge crush on the only other black person in school
- That moment when you learn about slavery in class and you can feel everyone staring at you
- Being way more cautious than your friends about typical suburban mischief
- People saying “You sound white,” because you speak proper English
- Feeling constant pressure to represent your entire race, rather than just yourself
