1) Y’all love to talk about how someone isn’t “black enough” because they don’t like the stereotypical Black things. Do y’all realize that there may be a reason why they don’t? Music is a big one. I know how we love our music and dancing to it.

I don’t follow rap, hip-hop, r&b, but I love a good beat. I’m not quite at the level where I can understand the words that are being sung without looking them up. I only bust out dancing whenever I feel comfortable bc judging someone’s dancing can be ableist.

2) Vernacular: Oh lord. This is ABLEIST AF. I’ve been heavily judged for the way I talk. I know sound weird and funny to y’all. It’s “hilarious.” Y’all ever heard of a deaf accent? Which is why it rubs me the wrong way when someone says, “You don’t sound like a Black person.”

3) I’m too white for hearing black folks while I’m too black for the white folks. Here’s a bomb for y’all. White folks tend to be a little bit more understandable when it comes to deafness/disabilities, so that’s why I unconsciously gravitate towards white folks sometimes.

4) I used to be quick to pop off when I was being bullied in school, and y’all thought I was being bossy or mean. NOOOOO, y’all are the mean ones. I was just defending myself.

5) Intelligence...... Don’t you ever question a Black deaf person’s intelligence. Yes, I can read and write. In the ninth grade, I was tested, and it revealed that I was reading at the level of a sophomore in university/college.

I’m not “slow” bc I’m fast af to read you and know you’re one of them ignant folks.

This doesn’t pertain to my disability, but I know I’m very privileged when it comes to socio-economical issues. I purposely avoid talking about finances because I feel weird talking about being fortunate to do anything I want. So, I know to shut up and let y’all talk.