Crystalized Blackness

             

I am a gradute student at the Mayborn School of Journalism at the

University of North Texas. If you don’t know much about Denton,Texas,

one thing you should know is: it is NOT BY ANY MEANS AN HBCU. I am all

about diversity and inclusion, however I have found myself yearning for a

“familiar skin tone.” My entire life has consisted of AP courses, honor

societies, leaderships positions, and my mother continuously instilling

“you can do anything white people do,” notion within me….. But why am i

always competing? At times, I feel a sense of liberation as I find myself being the

only “black,” enrolled within a section…and other times I feel as if I

am a “radical revolutionary” sitting at the front of the class with my

“nappy” textured fro, afro-centric fit, and my “yeah:watch what you say

when we talk about race,” demeanor. I dont mean to be “the standard,

passive
aggressive educated” type of black woman amongst our many stereotypical
categories…but I desire to be seen. be heard. be

acknowledged. My blackness spills over, so much…that I loose

pigmentation and therefore illuminate transparency: seen through, crystalized blackness.

Thats not ok.

I expressed my feelings of invisibility to a few of my friends but

unless you are experiencing, it is impossible to fully understand the

experience. I am a free slave, with vocal chords and no sound. Maybe my

race isnt a huge deal, maybe its my gender…so imagine….being black &

being woman.

Feel me?

It was refreshing to come across the article entitled "Being Black at UCLA School of Law." Also known as 33. Check out the Video Above….and maybe just maybe you can understand the frustrations.

FACT: 33 other people understands how it feels to be black and

transparent….a large part of me finds comfort in knowing my feelings of

invisible blackness isnt the only, but I still yearn to find the “33”

that exist within my program.

By : Morganne Nikole

ArticleSource: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/14/ucla-law-school-diversity_n_4789763.html