Some White people have a hard time understanding why a Black person would declare that they are unapologetically Black.
While I would never speak for any individual Black person, or Black people as a group, I suspect it stems from having to navigate an unapologetically White world that ceaselessly marginalizes, others, oppresses, denies, murders, fetishizes, appropriates blackness.
Unapologetically White legislators who pass and uphold anti-Black laws and policies.
Unapologetically White politicians who make anti-Black speeches and incite anti-Black activities.
Unapologetically White boards who deadbolt their anti-Black old boys' network doors.
Unapologetically White executives who sit at anti-Black tables and make anti-Black decisions.
Unapologetically White cops who kneel on the neck of Black people until they die.
Unapologetically White vigilantes who murder Black joggers.
Unapologetically White dog walkers who weaponize their anti-Black privilege.
And the list goes on. . .
Of course, this unapologetic whiteness and unapologetic anti-blackness is rarely said out loud.
It's implied, condoned, expected – baked into the fabric of our existence.
It doesn't need to be spoken. It just is.
And is and is and is and is. . .
Until White people decide it is no longer.