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i’m about to pop off. i’m a minority in a majority. here’s a thread of things i’ve personally experienced living in the valley that have made me feel uncomfortable:
first a little back story, i’ve lived in the valley my entire life. born in mcallen, went to school here as well. the valley is home and i love the people and the culture, but some of y’all are just so narrow minded.
imagine living your entire life being stared at every time you enter a taqueria, supermarket, restaurant, etc.. because it’s not a norm to see “black” ppl. that shit is so uncomfortable, it’s a feeling of not belonging, like you’re out of place because of the color of your skin
teachers asking me if i’m related to every other black student in my school because of the color of my skin. not every martinez, rodriguez, gonzales is related to each other but you don’t ask those students that same question.
people asking me where i’m from then following the question by asking “no, but where are you originally from?” that’s so fucking offensive, i understand it’s out of the norm that i live here but that’s simply just so fucking ignorant
kids at school pointing out the color of my skin. at first it was annoying/embarrassing but i learned to just embrace it. the color of my skin is beauty and that’s why i chose to use “theblackgirl” as my identity. they were going call me that behind closed doors either way.
kids bullying me in school saying “go back to africa pinche negra” and teachers not saying anything about it. teacher play a huge role in not only racism but bullying. they hear and don’t speak nor report incidence that happen in the classroom.
people using the n word or even thinking the word nigger is funny. i don’t find any humor in that. dare i @ that person. the n word is not even in my daily vocabulary. y’all want to argue “iT’s ThE cOnTeXt”but that word is so unnecessary, there’s no need for it in every sentence
the stereotypes some have in their heads that black people are supposed to be tall, athletic, fast, etc... and that i appear “intimidating”. i’m literally not any of those. i’m 5’0, slow as a turtle and i’ve been called out on those stereotypes my entire life.
people telling me that i need to tame my hair or suggest different products like moose or gel 
or telling me to perm it straight. my hair is big and crazy and i love it. i don’t appreciate the unnecessary comments nor did i ask for your advice on how to manage MY hair.
or telling me to perm it straight. my hair is big and crazy and i love it. i don’t appreciate the unnecessary comments nor did i ask for your advice on how to manage MY hair.
every single time and it never fails, i introduce my sister or my sister introduces me we both get weird looks. (same mom different dads) some people make it seem like i’m adopted or that we are lying. don’t act like you don’t know people with 4 kids and5 different baby daddies.
i’ve been in relationships were the father doesn’t approve because i’m black. another where the mom didn’t want us together because she didn’t want dark grandkids. it’s honestly so embarrassing to not be accepted because the color of your skin.
older spanish speakers commenting “esta nigra no sabe nada” because my spanish isn’t strong. for the most part i understand, i just have trouble speaking. there is so many mexican people in the valley that don’t even speak spanish themselves. me being black has nothing to do w it
oh my gosh, learning about slavery in school, getting constant eye glances at the whole time like it’s a sensitive topic for me. i didn’t experience any of that but y’all feel sorry for me for some reason.
the number of times teachers/people thought i was poor. i’m privileged and extremely humble about it. i don’t flaunt things i have because i didn’t work for them, my parents did. i’m not going to take credibility for things that are not mine.
i’m going to stop there because i’m sure y’all got the point. i’ve never shared these experiences because i didn’t want to be portrayed as the anger black girl who was mad at the world. living in the valley has thought me a lot of things...
... for one people are ignorant, but it also thought me to be strong minded, put on a thick coat and not let the little things faze me. if i miss spelled or miss placed words forgive me. I AM STRONG AND BROWN IS BEAUTIFUL.
