So this post is mostly about semantics. I’m spending a lot of time thinking about semantics and power. And one word I’m thinking of in particular is the word Black.
I am Black.
And please don’t say I’m a black.
It upsets me to hear “blacks.” It dehumanizes, it forces me to just be black. The thing is I am Black, and I’m more than that, but Black is a proper adjective.
Also, I’m not African-American. I mean technically I am, but really I’m a child of the Diaspora. My connection to Africa is severed, and is now largely a creation of imagination.
So if you want to describe me, you can call me Black, or just call me Royce.
I’m going to explore this idea in greater detail later.
