Being African-American … In Utah

By: Aujhanae Plummer

I was born and raised in the state of Utah. I have smooth tanned skin and a beautiful smile. When some look at me they identify me as “Black” or “African American” girl but, when I look in the mirror, I see an American girl who is unapologetically Black.

Being an American Black girl in a school filled with primarily whites has had its ups and downs. The month of February is Black History Month. When teachers talk about slavery, I have noticed students staring at e as if I have something to be ashamed of. One day my teacher made the whole class do an interactive activity on what it is like to be a slave, and what it is like to own one. Cards for selected slaves were supposed to be preselected by the teacher and placed on students’ desk. For some reason, I was the only student chosen to be an enslaved African American.

It baffles me how students of a different race think they can walk up to me and ask inappropriate and in my opinion, ignorant questions. For example:

• Is that your real hair?
• Can I touch your hair?
• You know who your dad is right?
• You’re different from the other ones (Whatever that means)
• What do you want to eat, fried chicken? (??? Don’t all races eat chicken)
• So, do black people…
• But you don’t act black (How do you act black?)
• Why do black people have so much attitude?
• So, you don’t wash your hair every day?
• Why do you speak like that? (Like what?)
• I’m scared to get pulled over too
• Only African-Americans cause violence

How dare you ask me if my hair is real and could you touch it. For your information, white girls wear weaves and extensions and I don’t ask them to touch their hair. My culture doesn’t wash their hair everyday because, unlike whites, the texture of our hair is much different. Also, who are you to say that I do not act Black? How the hell do you even act Black? I did not know I had to identify with a race to act like it. Being Black has taught me what White is not, and having white friends has taught me what Black is not.

One day I participated in a class debate about violence in the United States. I will never forget how one student said that only African-Americans cause violence. I was socked that he said that. News flash, all races are violent, and all races commit crimes. I noticed that sometimes, it is much easier for one race to blame another race so that nobody has to deal with the truth. Unfortunately, it is sad that some people think this way. I was taught that when a child says something racist to another child, it is because it is being taught in the home. No child ever says, “When I grow up, I want to be racist.”

I love living in Utah, and the only time I have an attitude is when I am not allowed to be my full self. So, for the record, never ask me if my hair is real, and do not ever put your hands in my hair. No, I don’t have to wash my hair every day and yes I know who my father is. Lastly, like everyone else, I like to eat fried chicken, baked chicken, and popcorn chicken. The reason I don’t act BLACK is because I act AMERICAN.