Oreo.

Boogie.

Snob.

These are some terms that I have been associated with when I was in middle school. I was teased for my musical preference. I was tormented for the way that I talked (and not only for my lisp) and how I presented myself. I never embodied the stereotype of a black person, whatever that is supposed to be. I had to deal with comments from friends, classmates, even from my own family, just because I didn’t live up to their or society’s expectations for the color of my skin. It took me a long time to finally accept me for me and if people don’t like it, that’s their problem.

But the conflict with my personality and societal expectations is on the rise and this time, books are at the forefront.

Continue reading “My Race Does Not Define My Reading” →