Hi, my name is Kei’Yanii and I am a African-American student that goes to a mainly white private school. I feel like people don’t understand where I’m coming from, where other Black kids are coming from. I’m way too shy and nervous to share my perspective about this type of thing in front of a crowd so I thought it would be easier to get the word out through writing so that’s why I’m here today. I’m here to tell you how it feels to be a Black student in a mainly white environment. As you read, I don’t want anyone to feel disrespected about your race or about yourselves in general.
I am a African-American student here to tell you about my experience at a mainly white school. Some people assume things and don’t ask. For example if my hair is out, people will come up and touch it. Then they ask and it’s like, “NO, didn’t you just touch it before you had permission!”? When people touch your hair without asking it feels like they are trespassing. It feels like you’re disrespected in a way. Another example is when they take or touch my food?. I’m not saying only I experience this or my race but, uh,“IF YOU TOUCH MY FOOD” we are no longer friends for the day! I do not play about my food, especially chicken?. If you don’t know chicken, especially fried chicken, is one of my FAVORITE foods (no joke). I am an African-American student with a perspective and I will always be Black? and no one can tell me that I’m not Black, or not acting Black because I am and I know I am. No one can or will tell me any different.
Being the only Black kid in a class full of white faces is not fun, especially during Black History Month. It can sometimes be hard and scary when you are a black student. For example when you are in class and you’re starting to learn about enslavement, it can be really uncomfortable and you feel like everyone is watching you. You feel like they are wanting to ask you a bunch of questions and your mind just goes into this world of sadness and loneliness.
Sometimes when you are learning about Black history it makes you feel unsafe around the FBI or the police or unsafe in general. Mostly really uncomfortable. I mean I am uncomfortable even making this essay but hey, it’s important that people know because if I don’t say anything, if WE don’t say anything, what’s going to get better? What are people going to do and not do? Nothing. Nothing at all.
The good things about being a Black student is you have a lot of thick, curly hair, though it can be really hard to work with and annoying! Also, you get to be a part of all of this Black history, Black History Month, and change-maker stories. And, hey, Beyonce said it best, “You’re gonna learn to love your baby hairs and Jackson 5 nostrils. So celebrate Black History Month.”
It’s time to understand how it feels to be a Black kid in a mainly white school. My life and maybe even your life is affected by this topic, maybe I’m wrong, maybe I’m right, but if it does then now I hope you understand more than you did or thought you did. It’s time to understand!
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