I go to a private school, where the majority of people don't look like me. My best friend is Hispanic, but has a very light complexion. I've always struggled with speaking up for myself or saying anything when it comes to race. I've seen the same pattern among other Black women in my school; there are so few of us in our environment. My friend loves me and wants what's best for me, but she always tells me not to make a big deal out of anything or to let it go. She knows how people often stereotype black women as overly aggressive and loud. I already don't have many friends, and she didn't want me to push more people away. But hearing what the majority of white males say in the halls and during events is hard to digest. The same people who try to be friendly to me in class, those feelings I have built, and they crush me. My friend hosted an event, and a boy whom I was familiar with was saying the n-word repeatedly. My friends, the host asked him to repeat to stop and respect their rules, but he didn't and mocked them. I stepped in and told him he wasn't black. They asked him to stop, and he was being disrespectful, although it created a slight verbal altercation, which was very scary for me because I avoid conflict. I made my point and stood my ground proudly. When people asked me about it in the halls, I didn't hesitate to explain facts, and found that people understood where I was coming from, although my friend told me I should have let it go. I explained to her that although she could sympathize with me, she couldn't empathize with me. Telling me to let racism slide was doing more harm to my mental health and didn't allow for anyone to grow and learn. I learned to stand up for myself, and I hope that boy learned that his actions and words were wrong and have consequences. I believe self-confidence and finding my voice were the greatest things I've done in a long time, and it has given me a new sense of strength and clarity about who I am and what I deserve. It’s a step toward creating a space where I feel seen and respected. Not only did I feel empowered to speak up for myself, but a few weeks later, a close black friend of mine was accused of living in a grace hut before she was adopted and brought to America. She told me I had given her the courage to stand up for herself and report him to a teacher. I hope that I can inspire more people to do the same. I found that most of the black women in my class were proud of me and felt the same pain I was going through. I knew then I wasn't as alone as I thought I was, and my voice could make a difference in people's lives.

I go to a private school, where the majority of people don't look like me. My best friend is Hispanic, but has a very light complexion. I've always struggled with speaking up for myself or saying anything when it comes to race. I've seen the same pattern among other Black women in my school; there are so few of us in our environment. My friend loves me and wants what's best for me, but she always tells me not to make a big deal out of anything or to let it go. She knows how people often stereotype black women as overly aggressive and loud. I already don't have many friends, and she didn't want me to push more people away. But hearing what the majority of white males say in the halls and during events is hard to digest. The same people who try to be friendly to me in class, those feelings I have built, and they crush me. My friend hosted an event, and a boy whom I was familiar with was saying the n-word repeatedly. My friends, the host asked him to repeat to stop and respect their rules, but he didn't and mocked them. I stepped in and told him he wasn't black. They asked him to stop, and he was being disrespectful, although it created a slight verbal altercation, which was very scary for me because I avoid conflict. I made my point and stood my ground proudly. My friend told me I should have let it go, but I explained to her that although she could sympathize with me, she couldn't empathize with me. Telling me to let racism slide was doing more harm to my mental health and didn't allow for anyone to grow and learn. I learned to stand up for myself, and I hope that boy learned that his actions and words were wrong and have consequences. I belive self confidence and finding my voice was the greatest thing I've done in a long time, and it has given me a new sense of strength and clarity about who I am and what I deserve. It’s a step toward creating a space where I feel seen and respected. Not only did I feel empowered to speak up for myself, but a few weeks later, a close black friend of mine was accused of living in a grace hut before she was adopted and brought to America. She told me I had given her the courage to stand up for herself and report him to a teacher.