I’ve never really thought of these questions and there’s a lot that I identify with. I guess my biggest one would be my race? I’ve already mentioned this in the race section of our write in’s but I am almost always aware of my race because of the people I am around so often.
I can remember back in 2020 when George Floyd was killed. We were still quarantined so I talked to people through group chats. I was talking to my group of friends, who were all white, about how I felt about it. Some of them blew it off, others didn’t want to comment and be a mediator and some didn’t understand why I was so upset. I think that was the first time I was genuinely angry at my friends. I don’t think it was because they didn’t care, but they couldn’t relate to it so they didn’t know how to feel or what to do. But to see that I was so upset really put into perspective how big this was. I was the only one in the group to understand and have right to be so angry. I wish I could remember what followed after but I know that after a while we all ended up at a couple marches in Livonia. It felt really good being there.
I think there’s so many aspects of myself that I identify with that it can get exhausting. To be a black, bisexual woman who doesn’t feel like she fits in anywhere tries to make the best of things. Most of the time I don’t think about any aspects I have. Other times, when I look at my hobbies, or media, etc., this is where I am consciously aware of who I am. People that are like me are almost never represented, at least with things that I like. I get so excited when I see someone with a hint of melanin in anime! ESPECIALLY, when it’s a black woman and it isn’t a stereotypical drawing but it is so unbelievably rare to see. (also there’s always a girl boss but where are the girl failures?)
I can remember a time when I was younger when I loved to dress up as characters and go to conventions. I would see people online criticize other black cosplayers saying that they shouldn’t dress up cause they don’t look like the character. It made me self-conscious since there wasn’t a lot of black cosplayers anyway and was afraid of being harassed. I’d love to point out that I feel so confident doing it now and even the voice actors from the shows compliment me on how I dress! So again when I think growing up with more representation in my life I feel so proud of my identity. Although I’ve never felt bad about it.
I wouldn’t say my best friend is my exact opposite but she’s a sweet but stern, hardworking silly lady. None of my aspects made any difference why her and I are best friends. I think how I make friends is the experiences I have with other people and not what they identify with.
