Ryan williams,
Grand Blanc, MI

As a black man in America I am expected to be multiple things.
Unsophisticated, not smart, ghetto, unprofessional and unethical.
But this isn’t the case with me as i am often referred to as well-spoken
Quiet and well-mannered. My race gives me character along with the historical background and people I hang around, but my color and stereotypes of my people do not define me and never have. Based on my appearance I am not the character you may think I am as with my unkempt hair and urban clothes you see people of my appearance in stories or on the news all the time. I am just as much a civilian and citizen as anyone else so this does not define me. I am culture appropriate and well behaved so I hate that the stereotypes can ruin my image. I hate that I have to be fearful of where I am or where I go because somebody may perceive me as something I am not and unlawful and unjustified actions may take place. I love my life as much as the next person and the fact that I have to fear for it upsets me in a way unimaginable.
I try to make myself as socially acceptable as I can in the eyes of others but if people don’t like what comes with me then I don’t care for them. My life is just as important as anybody else and the fact that things can happen to me because of color and race scares me. The food i eat aren’t really related to my race along with the fact that I am not that racially cultured but I still have things that give me life.