Hi Ray,

It seems that my piece struck a nerve with you. It seems, from your rantings, that you have a problem with my piece, which was ultimately about setting boundaries.

It’s pretty obvious that you have a problem hearing Black folk set a pretty simple and basic boundary of what we would like to/not like to be referred to. I can imagine what other words you would probably like to refer to us as but cannot, especially on this platform.

Here’s the truth that you proably don’t want to hear; Black folk CREATED culture. The 1st humans were from Africa. They created culture, along with science, math, and all of the things, we their descendants, benefit from today.

Even after the mass human trafficking tragedy known as slavery, Black folks, who were completely stripped of our original cultures built new ones, blending what we remember from our previous free lives with what we had here that have since been passed down though our generations. Innovation despite all odds. The story of Black people.

Next, your comment about “stop using the internet and computers” shows you have no real understanding of what culture is. For context, culture is defined by Oxford as “the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group.” You’re mistaking cultures with inventions. The internet is NOT something cultural, unlike different dialects, which AAVE is. If we go down the road of ‘lets not use things not created by our own races’, you will be astounded by the number of things Black folks have made that you probably use regularly.

Next, as far as speaking English, dude, have you ever read your own history books? Do you know my people while enslaved had our original languages beat out of us? We were FORCED to speak English. Kind of an ignorant thing to say, babe.

Next, your “playing bongos in the jungle” comment implies that White people somehow rescued Black folks from a life of…what exactly? There were, and still are thriving communities, cities and countries in Africa, which you would know if you used that computer you’re so proud of, Google specifically. Also bongos were created in Cuba, not Africa. I would have most likely enjoyed a Djembe or a Dundun.

Next, Black folks didn’t call you white. You yourselves called yourselves white while creating the asinine racial caste system to make yourselves feel superior. You’re not. You’re just like us. Only racists get bothered by that fact.

Finally, speaking of racism, it is not racist to ask not to be called sis by folks we don’t feel akin to. It’s only racist to say some of the things you have said in reaction.

Have the day you deserve.