This article was originally published on excellenttown.com
Welcome to the wild and wacky world of unwritten rules for people of color in America! It’s like a secret society, where the membership fee is a lifetime of navigating microaggressions and systemic racism. And don’t even get us started on the initiation process, it’s a rite of passage that no one wants to go through, but we all have to endure. From avoiding eye contact with the police to knowing when it’s time to code switch, these unspoken guidelines are a necessary survival manual for living life as a person of color in America. But don’t worry; we’ll have a little fun along the way. So grab a seat, buckle up, and prepare to learn all about the unwritten rules POC follow every day.
Angry Black Woman
The ‘Angry Black Woman’ stereotype is a classic example of systemic racism and sexism. You know the drill, whenever a black woman speaks her mind or stands up for herself, she’s suddenly labeled as an ‘Angry Black Woman.’ It’s like the world expects us always to be submissive and quiet.
But the moment we show any emotion or assertiveness, all of a sudden, we’re angry. It’s a double standard, and it’s exhausting. So the next time you see a black woman fired up, try to understand the root of her anger and the systemic forces that may have led to it.