it's awesome.
By: Taquarius Johnson
Credit: Artwork inspired by Ye's album cover art: "Ye"
TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS
As a biracial man, I come from two different worlds: A world of slaves and a world of slave owners.
I am the bridge between bigotry and sanity. I am proof that such a bridge exists.
The world isn't black and white, but I am.
Mom is where the heart is.
Love makes life bliss.
I Love Being Biracial.
I am my biggest fan. Self-love is very important in a world so hate-filled.
Be there for yourself when no one else is.
I will forever appreciate my physical appearance. Tall, dark, and handsome is an accurate description of me.
If I had a dollar for every time an older woman complimented my skin complexion, I'd be able to fill my gas tank multiple times.
If I had a choice, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
It's Frustrating.
I receive compliments and admiration for the same reason I receive hate.
I'm no stranger to the hard "er" [the n-word].
Early on, it would confuse me.
Many questions arise:
"What did I do to make them mad?"
"Why are grown men threatening a 13-year-old?"
"Why won't they let her go to prom with me?"
The perception of me is forever changing.
My social and material conditions are directly tied to this perception.
They see what they expect to see.
However, I expect them to see me.
Everything feels so strange
when you don't look quite the same.
Pictured Left to Right: Rebecca Barker, Mallory Burton, Me, Branton Beard, and Eli Grimes
Front: Kyler Gamon
It's Awesome.
The constant back and forth used to create an internalized identity struggle.
It's awkward being "too black" for the white kids, and "too white" for the black kids.
As time has gone and I've gained more experience from both sides, I've learned to fully accept and embrace who I am.
You cannot box me into one confine.
I feel like I've been socially obliterated and ostracized for this reason.
As I grow older and become more in touch with myself, I realize it was meant to be this way.
I was never supposed to fit in.
The longer I tried, the more I lost touch with myself and the universe.
It took me a while to realize...
Being yourself is better than fitting in.
We live in a world full of clones and oversaturation.
Despite this, everyone is so afraid of being different.
Why?