This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
No, I’m not a “traditional” athlete
African-Americans aren’t known for their intelligence. Instead, we are known for our athleticism.
So when we communicate skillfully, eloquently, and not “ghetto,” as many people phrase it, people notice it.
Society does an excellent job of perpetuating black stereotypes. So when a black person deviates from the stereotypes we’ve been fed for most of our lives, people respond in surprising ways.
That’s why we frequently hear phrases such as:
Can you use normal words?
You talk like a white person.
Why are you talking like that? Talk normally.
You talk quite eloquently for a black person.
Why do you talk all smart? Do you think you’re better than me?
I’m Not A “Traditional” Athlete
Yes, I work out in the gym, I’m tall, and I’m black.
I understand these three truths, which naturally make me look like an athlete of some form (for some reason), but I’m not your traditional athlete – outside of amateur bodybuilding.
I write, and people never guess I’m a writer because of my appearance.
For some reason, people assume because you’re black, these are the boxes you go into, and when you don’t, it makes them uncomfortable and ruffles their feathers.
Well, newsflash: not all black people fall into these categories.
One of my siblings played every sport and was extremely athletic, but people never assumed one of the sports was golf.
My father is 6’5 and played basketball, but his favorite and best sport was baseball. People never guess this one, either.
Stereotypes Are Dangerous
Because sports organizations thought black people couldn’t think, fewer black quarterbacks existed.
Because bankers and businesses thought black people were fiscally irresponsible, we received fewer loans or loans with outrageous stipulations.
“A Black loan applicant in the United States is more than twice as likely to be denied a home mortgage as a white applicant, aggravating the homeownership gap between Black and white Americans, according to a new report (NY Times).”
Because society perpetuates the hypersexualization of black women, this contributes to the lack of respect we receive.
Are Black Women Hypersexualized?
Yes. Yes, they
The best way to destroy stereotypes is to consistently educate yourself and expose yourself to new people, ideas, concepts, and opportunities.
I’m thankful my parents exposed me to books early. Not only did I fall in love with reading, books, acquiring knowledge, and libraries, but I fell in love with writing.
No. I’m not an athlete. I’m a writer.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.