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Being A Vocal Marginalized Writer Is Uncomfortable
One of my most popular and successful works of last month is one where I wrote about being Black — shocking I know. The difference with that piece vs others was my intent. I wrote entirely honest about how I feel being Black in America. Keep in mind, that came in lieu of another racist police encounter.
Afterwards, I slowly felt a strange sensation. Being a vocal marginalized writer is uncomfortable on levels I didn’t think much about until now. — I’m being viewed under a microscope.
As I saw what white readers were highlighting of my story, I kept thinking; I’m not the first person to share these feelings. So seeing what this was interesting? I even got some responses from white readers, which I’ve hidden from the public---many not worth reading. The reason being is that they are merely gestures to me that ultimately don’t help. — if you’re going to offer apologies…how about you back it up with a protest with your white colleagues? Or you know actually advocate for us?
Then my thoughts focused on how I interact with social media and by extension “my brand”. The uncomfortable feeling is that for all intents and purposes I’m a show.
