Why is it that each time a black person speaks about issue of race, they’re not allowed to sound angry or frustrated by the current state of racial affairs? It’s almost as though we’re expected to mold our feelings based on the potential sensitivity of non blacks.

I’m mad. I’m made about what me and other black females have to go through and should be able to fully express my spectrum of emotions, without fear of judgment. First of all, I’m from Brooklyn, NY and everything I say, whether it’s good or bad, sounds like angry––that’s just how we talk. Honestly, I’m fed up with people of my own race telling me how to feel or how to communicate my thoughts, to adjust my speech so that I don’t offend people outside my race.

But what about the ways in which people outside of my race have offended me with their words? Some black people are so concerned with making everyone else feel comfortable around us, although the same courtesy is rarely extended to us. We are constantly forced to exist in uncomfortable situations as black people living in a majority white world. I’ve been uncomfortable in plenty of situations, especially when it comes to classes at Le Moyne, because while all of my professors are academically literate, they sometimes social literacy and common sense.

Young black minds of America, I want to tell you something: You shouldn’t be ashamed to express how you feel; whether you’re sad, angry, or mad about when it comes to race. No matter how much progress has been made, we still go through so many difficult things, simply because of certain people we encounter every day.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you shouldn’t be mad about the problems you face, whether they look like you or not. What makes this even worse is that we’re told to keep quiet, to suppress our feelings  about the issues we face. It’s not fair and it doesn’t help us progress. But then again, I guess life isn’t fair.

It’s unfortunate, that in 2017 we still have to discuss these issues. People should be able to freely express ourselves and how we feel. I’m not saying you should go out there and act crazy, embarrassing yourself and your parents, but when things aren’t right, speak up. That’s how things change.