I realized I had a lot shared experiences -- regarding food, family, and material culture -- between me and black peers in my age group when I was in college.

The difference -- which engulfs entire universes -- was the slack society fucking cut me. https://twitter.com/jscros/status/1265822145340411904

I dressed like a "thug" (punk rocker)? Cops laughed at me and moved on.

I had a family tragedy? The entire firmament moved to ensure this poor blue-eyed child got a lift up the ladder. Even when I didn't want it.

I didn't actively seek this privilege out, but I can't pretend that I haven't benefited from it just the same.

And the fact this kind of thing isn't extended to everyone haunts me and fuels my anger.

The weirdest moment of my cluelessness was when I mentioned buying Grape Fanta and a pack of menthols and a white acquaintance arched his eyebrow and I was like "what, what's so fucking weird about that?"

Then I did some googling and fuck that guy forever.