Day in the life of a large black male June 26th:
1) I let my puppy off leash but yell for her when she spots a squirrel. Couple across from me at the park watches me for the duration of my breakfast on the bench to make sure the deep voiced giant isn’t abusing the dog I presume

2. as I drink my coffee on the bench with my mask still on my ears yet pulled down over my mouth so i can drink, elderly woman taking laps around the park makes sure to compliment people wearing a mask but only as she walks past and looks at me

3. As i’m on Browns campus, I notice a free covid testing spot for students and I inquire with the lady if I can get tested since i have my Brown ID on me. She answers “testing is only for Brown students and you have to set an appointment online”....

4. Regular life occurs and puts me in a bad mood, I pull over to the side of the road to try not and break into tears while driving. Gentleman with a lovely lawn stands on his porch for a moment to watch me for a minute then approaches the vehicle and says “you can’t park here”

....it’s not even noon. You don’t think I know I look like a threat? You don’t think my mother raised me to keep my head down and not draw attention to myself? Discouraged me from getting tattoos dreads and piercings because it’s easier for people to spot me??

I’m so tired of this, the walking on eggshells. I can’t help what I sound like or look like. This is daily for me, for Black people. I’ve been suffering in silence. I wear the biggest smile but i’m so sad and tired. Tired of being foreign in my own damn home #BlackLivesMatter

This world has made me so hard out of necessity.