That was a good read. I'm not sure how it fits in with HN but that doesn't really matter to me. Please forgive me if my whiteness has left me ignorant on the topic but one thing that I find interesting is that much of the "conflict" you outlined in those four situations seems to be brought on more by your own "race" (as you put it). You mentioned getting teased by your teammates on your "all black team". You mentioned your family speaking with disdain for people who dated out of their race. You mention the people who say you aren't acting black enough (while you didn't specifically say who was saying this, I can't imagine who else would be so bold as to tell you that "you lost your black card" other than someone still holding their "black card".) Regarding the "Token Black Guy" part, that probably falls equally on everyone.
I don't know if your intent in this piece was to bring those issues into the light in that way but, personally, I think it does a good job of describing the struggle that you have even within your own "race" (I really hate using that word since we are all human... but an alternative is eluding me at the moment). Thanks for taking the time to put it out there. I wish I could say that I know what it is like but there is no possible way for me to compare. While I've had times when I've been subject to intimidation and ridicule for no other reason than being white, I didn't grow up with that as an everyday possibility.
