There is a look that colors faces when people learn where I am from.

As if where I come from

suddenly gives them some sort of insight into what my life must have been like. They all get this
look in their eyes. Like I am one of those sad ass commercial kids that can be fed with just one
cent a day. I hate that look. I hate the cloud of oppression that seems to follow that look. I hate
the way it feels like we are no longer eye to eye, like I have grown shorter, or maybe they grew
taller. I usually look away, or make a joke to push away the awkwardness of that look,
But my words have lost their validation. As if the black girl from the Hood cant have anything
smart to say.