The View From Here

Last night it was interesting to listen to classmates talk about Beyonce's Lemonade especially the controversy about "Becky with the Good Hair." Most went on to say that it was racial stereotyping against White women. As I've stated in this blog before I'm often the only woman of color in the classroom in my program; however most White students don't see me as such. Anyway, all I can think is how little they understood about the history of oppression when it comes to Black women and what is considered ideal beauty in this country. Also there seemed to be lack of knowledge of the stereotyping of Black hair in all sectors of society but certainly in professional workplaces. As always, it's awkward to be the only one (again) and that when White people think no-one is listening, the things they'll say... P.S. The Daily Beast had a good posting about Iggy Azalea making the same contention. Check it out .

A couple of days ago I was staying at a hotel for a conference in a midwest city that I'd categorize as being pretty diverse and cosmopolitan. However, as I stood at a computer in a guest lounge while wearing my workout clothes and having a sheen a sweat on my face due to my recent treadmill run, one, no, two White older people one after the other (they seemed to be a couple) asked me there were cold drinks in the lounge. You know where this is going... Without giving her much of a glance, I said to her, "I don't work here. I'm a guest." Although she apologized quickly, I was annoyed. Then a moment later, a White older man (I think he was with the woman who just spoke to me) asked me the very same question. WTF. I mean it, I was seething and I said (again with more force), "I DON'T WORK HERE. I'M A GUEST." Most, I imagine, would say what's the big deal? Yet, the day in and day out of experiencing microagressions  or more specifically micr