See Me, Hear Me

By Josephine Coiscou

When they see you, what do you think they see? Do you think they see an entrepreneur? A doctor? A lawyer?

The first thing they see is the color of our skin. For some, it may not be a problem, well at least not at first.

It’s not a problem until they’re position or authority is being threatened. Not until we question their logic, motives, or means.

From long ago they knew we were supposed to obey the command. Not speak unless we were spoken to. Today it’s not the same. We make them uncomfortable with our outspoken words and wisdom, our knowledge, our shapes and color, and our identity.

They want to portray the image they choose for themselves and us that makes them look good, like they’re diverse or they at least like the idea of diversity.

Our issues will never be their issues as much as some of them claim to be on our side. They won’t scream or shout. They won’t march. They won’t protest because it goes against who they’re trained to obey. They lack outrage. They’ll never know what it’s like to have to cross a line for respect because they’re judged for who they are and what they look like. They don’t cross a line until their title is being threatened.

They try to understand what it means to be us, to be black by trying to agree with us to a certain extent until they deem us overreacting or being unreasonable. They act like they care for and appreciate everything about the black culture except what we actually deal with being black.

They only like the part of being black that compliments them like an accessory. They don’t really want to deal with the real-life complications of it. They don’t understand the true meaning of the word acceptance. They think because they’re used to seeing some of us dress and act like them that it’s normal. They can’t handle anything different that they don’t believe in or agree with. For them to see us so comfortable with who we are when it comes to our hair, skin, shape, and size is baffling. They’re not used to that level of self-confidence.

They won’t see us or hear us if we occasionally make them uncomfortable. When we shout and scream about issues we’re passionate about then we’re considered loud and ghetto. They don’t like when we use our voice unless it benefits them. When they demand respect, they’re being authoritative, when we demand the respect we’re being disruptive.

To them, black is a lifestyle. For us, being black is life. Being black is who we are.

They want to be on our side. If they say they care, then they need to make our issues their issues.

It’s time they see us. It’s time they hear us.

About Josephine Coiscou:

Josephine Coiscou is a blogger writing about happiness and mental health while enjoying the sunlight, living life and finding beauty in herself. She loves writing and media and collaborating with like minded bloggers and influencers. Follow her at @thecolouredspirit on Instagram, The Coloured Spirit on YouTube, and her personal blog Sophisticatedly Vulgar.