Alexis Williams | Social Media Manager

In a world like ours, stereotypes are prevalent and so common that sometimes we don’t even know we’re relying on them. We use stereotypes every day, but do we really understand what we’re saying? Take these next few questions for example.

“Do you ever feel like a white person trapped in a black person’s body?”
“No…do you consider yourself white OR black?”
“Why don’t you act like a black person?”

Unfortunately, I did not create these questions— these are questions I hear on a fairly frequent basis. And you know what? These questions are rude, and I’m tired of hearing them. It is about time we change the culture we live in.

Before I begin, I want to be clear on one thing—black is a color and white is a color. Neither word describes a set of behaviors. Don’t believe me? Merriam-Webster can clear that up for you.

More often than not I get told I “act white.” When people tell me this they are usually referring to the fact that I speak properly, do not use “obnoxious” hand gestures, and refrain from clapping when I am irritated. What I think they are referring to are the behaviors typically associated with “acting black.” Colors are not behaviors. Whatever other words you choose to categorize these actions as can be your choice. Just understand that neither a color nor a race can be linked to a set of behaviors. But the ignorance doesn’t stop there; look at the next couple of statements.

“You’re pretty…for a black girl.”
“Do you get offended when I say Ni*ger ‘cause you’re not even really black.”

And my favorite… “You’re the whitest black girl I have ever met.”

If you aren’t appalled or offended by the statements above then you are exactly the kind of ignorant person I am speaking about. These are not only flat-out rude, but so judgmental it’s disgusting. Using my race as a justification? Saying I shouldn’t get offended when you use an offensive word? Any and all racial slurs should be avoided—isn’t that common sense? And finally, we’re back to the color thing. Just stop.

Do you get why these are offensive? Do you get where it’s wrong? These not only separate me from general humanity, but force me to make decisions that genetically were already made for me. I do not think it’s fair to have someone ask me whether or not I prefer to be called black… would you ever ask me if I preferred to be called white?

I am half Caucasian, half African-American and I like to be referred to as just that—my biological make up. I am mixed. I take pride in where I come from, how I carry myself, and find no need to choose between the two of my races; I love them both equally. I do not define myself by race, and neither should you.

I thought America was past all of this but then again, we have Arizona here to prove me wrong.

Graphic by Aaron Burns