Coworkers touch my hair without asking.

They marvel aloud that my vocabulary is beyond 5th grade level.

They call me articulate for expressing and coherent, yet complex thought.

They tell me I’m “not like the others”

They say to me “you’ve got a little White in you, no?” /1

They whisper behind me that “it must be affirmative action”

They ask me if my husband is White.

They’re surprised when we lunch and I have a credit card.

They wonder how I can afford my home.

When they learn I studied abroad they assume my father was military (no). /2

If I react they call me angry.

They make Black “jokes” and watch to see if I laugh

They wound then play the victim.

Their tears count more than mine.

Their pain counts more than mine. /3

I have to be better, faster, tougher, softer, calmer, friendlier and more understanding.

They’ll still take your word over mine. /4

That’s racism in America.

And it’s ubiquitous.

Always has been.

How could you not see it @rickclem ?

How could you not see US? /end