a two-way street.

I hear it. I see it. I feel it.

I can't take it.

I'm done.

I'm done putting up with people's racist tendencies,

like BLACKFACE

like appropriating our HAIRSTYLES

like using the N-WORD (It's okay; my friend is black)

Nope.Nope.Nope.

I'm done with the sideways glances in my direction,

every time race is mentioned in a conversation,

because I'm the only Black person in the room.

Don't focus on me.

Focus on the real elephant, sitting on my chest, crushing my heart:

IT'S 2016; WHY IS THERE ONLY ONE BLACK STUDENT IN THIS CLASSROOM.

I will not beg; I will simply ask: please stop looking at me every time current events about race, or race in any context for that matter, are brought up. Here's a fun fact: you too have a race. Maybe it's white. Maybe it's one of many others that make our world a beautiful, diverse place.

Race is not synonymous with black.

I'm done staring at the table until I'm sure the glances stop. Let me exist in my skin the same way you can exist in yours.

Let me back up.

First: about BLACKFACE.

I cannot even fathom why anybody thinks this is valid. It's not a joke. It's just hurtful. Honestly. I take it personally. Of course you're not imitating me as an individual, but is that how you see black people? Really? Oh, wait. You're not really racist. No, it's completely justifiable for you to kick a race that's already been hit by a bus and backed over a few times. It's totally okay for you to degrade our race, making us out to be crazy, no better than dirt. Completely acceptable. [Never in a million years will this be true]

Second: OUR HAIR.

It's not for you to touch at your own will.

It's not for you to take and wear our styles like they are your own.

It's not for you.

There are certain styles that are unique to our culture that should stay that way. My kinky, nappy, curly hair isn't just there for show. It is part of my identity. When you attempt to copy it, you're invalidating my very being.  By adopting a hairstyle that is not designed for your hair, you are penalizing me. It doesn't look good or natural on you, but that's what everyone else sees and associates it with, and now it's got a bad name.

Leave our hair and associated styles alone.

Plus, you touching my hair without my permission is just throwing away the time I spent making it look flawless this morning. So thanks for ruining that.

Third: the N-WORD

Don't use it. There is no context in which I should ever hear that word justifiably used, but especially not from your mouth. It's 2016; it's time to give it up.

Your token black friend is not your way into the "secret society" where we sit around all day calling each other n*ggas.

Don't use it.

To be quite  honest with you, I'm tired of fulfilling the expectation that I am obligated to educate you. I am willing to have a conversation, to clarify something related to my black experience, but I am done being the encyclopedia for all things black. That's what google is for. Educate yourself. After you've done so, I'd love to have a conversation about it. But I'm not your teacher anymore. I will not allow you to form generalizations about my race based on my experience alone. WE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME. Therefore, my experience and how I live my life is only valid if you're trying to understand me. I am black, yes. It is a large part of my identity, yes. It is the only thing that makes me who I am, and I can thus speak on behalf of all people and things black--nope.

I know I will keep fighting this undying racism in our country, but it feels like we're going in circles. It feels liken no matter what I do, no matter what any of us do, we will always face scrutiny and persecution. We will always be targeted and profiled without justification. I want things to change. But as long as my identity is trivialized and broken down by societal norms that nobody wants to address, let alone change, what can I do?

Change runs down a two-way street. It's time for you to deliver on your end, because we sure are trying to deliver on ours.

I thought I was past the anger. Turns out, I'm not.

I'm heated.

But I'm also hurting.

To all those who are hurting with me, I need you to hear these words and know they're true:

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

No matter where you are or what you're going through, there is someone who is battling just like you are. I will not let you fight through this on your own; I will pick you up. I know it's hard. I know it's something that is so easily internalized and personalized.

I just really need you to understand that we'll get through this together; it's the only way we can.