The Black Experience

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You're who ever you are, ordinary person or genius--it doesn't matter! You're now plugged into "The Black Experience" where you're going to experience the day in the life of an Black person, a person belonging to the African Disapora, living in the United Sates. Thanks to technology and this new VR device, you are now a Black youth, early twenties. First thing's first, you wake up and fumble your way out of your comfy bed, yawning and looking for your phone. When you find it you quickly unlock it and check your favorite apps and end up twitter, you see a tweet with a video and a headline that reads: "Local Cops Defend Officer That Tazed A 10 Year Old Girl With Mistaken Indentity". Your hearts drops to your stomach. Do you watch the [[Video1<-video]] or move on, [[Internalize It<-internalizing]] it? <<audio "mainsong" loop play>>

You watch the video anyway and soon sink into a depressing mood especially after watching local people in the video, none of them that look like you, insist that 10 year girl must have done something criminal regardless of the mistaken indentity. They also praise the cop for his immemdiate actions. You see the little girl alone, in handcuffs slouched against the backseat of a cop car with tears running down her face, looking devastated and confused. And alone. Her brown skin and multicolored beads in her braided hair the only color in the brief shot of her by the camera man as the spotlight returns to the cops in the short news clip. You sigh. Regret opening up the video. And head to your [[Bathroom1<-bathroom]].

You try to look at some funny cat videos from the internet which helps but as you go to post them to your facebook page you see a racist caricature of your favorite athlete in the form of a political cartoon. They're being depicted as a beast, with bug lips and ape like. SIGH. You then see some comments defending the artist talking about free speech. SIIIIIIIGH. Head to the [[Bathroom1<-bathroom]].

Heading to the bathroom gives you a chance to mentally check out as you take a quick shower, wash you face and get ready for the day. You look in the mirror and make a few faces, studying your expressions. You had a classmate tell your professor that you weren't a "team player"--that you came across as "unfriendly". You smile, you smirk, you frown. This is exhausting. But you're hungry so you dont have time to ponder on it any longer, time to go grab a granola bar and get out of here. Head to your [[Closet<-closet]].

You're dressed, shoes on with your backpack and ready to go! You're looking good! All you need is something on your arms. You open up your closet and see your favorite hoodie and your new leather jacket. You LOVE that hoodie. It's your FAVORITE but you know wearing it might give you the wrong attention. On the other handle, you could wear your new jacket, which is nice but you're aiming for a chill, csual look. You're going to meet up with classmates at the local coffee shop. Not a hot date or a night on the town. What do you wear? The [[Hoodie<-hoodie]] or the [[Leather Jacket<-leather jacket]]?

You pick the hoodie, slide it off the hanger and put it on. It's soft and has some lyrics of a song from one of your favorite entertainers on it. You take a deep breath and give a silent pray to whateever deity you may or may not believe in, remembering how you mom didnt want you to wear hoodies after the shooting related death of the Black teenager who went to the store for a ice tea and candy. He looked suspicious, lots of people reported and stated. You hope you dont look suspicious, you just want to be comfortable. Head to the door of your [[Apartment Door<-apartment]].

You look at your leather jacket and quietly slide it off the hanger and put it on, rolling your shoulders a bit. You really want to wear your hoodie but this is probbaly safer. And safer is for the best to be honest. You just moved to this neighborhood, you dont want any problems. You do look good though, hopefully your classmates don't think you're trying too hard. Dejectedly you head to the door of your [[Apartment Door<-apartment]].

<<audio "mainsong" stop>> Stepping out your apartment you smile, it's a beautiful day. It's sunny with a cool breeze and it helps put a pep in your step! You put your headphones in and crank up one of your upbeat playlist, sending out vibes that today is going to be a great day for you. <<audio "yikes" play>> You take ten steps away from home to see that lady who lives on the corner who you just know doesn't like you. Every time you come home late from class on Tuesday evenings and run into her she doesn't speak, but just stares at you with her face twisted up like she ate an entire lemon in one sitting. ...... [[Smile<-Smile at her]]. [[Don't Smile<-Don't smile]].

You don't smile at her and awkward shuffle as you pass her by. She scowls something nasty at you and you try not to see it. Isn't she the lady who called the cops on your local Congresswoman who was recently elected who was going door to door introducing herself and meeting the new neighborhood? You keep walking on your [[Busy Street<-way]].

You take a chance and smile at her with your hand coming out of your pocket rising to give a little wave. She immediately looks alarmed and steps back, clucthing her purse and the leash to her tiny dog (who also doesn't seem to like you) to her chest and keeps walking. Her paler skin reddening up some as she walk faster. You keep on your [[Busy Street<-way]]

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You keep walking and in before you know it you end on on the busy street that has the coffee shop you're meeting your classmates at. It's a street that also houses a used book store, a thrift store, a pizza place, a credit union and a bunch of boutiques. You step around the small crowd of people bustling around and step over the piles of electric scooters littering up the side walks. You've made it to your destination! You take a deep breath and smile, hoping for the best. This is your second to last meetup with your classmates to finish this group project for your Com 110 class and you really, really want a good grade. You head [[Coffee Shop<-in]]. <<audio "yikes" stop>> <<audio mainsong loop play>>

Upon first opening the door, you smell so many things at once: freshly baked scones, muffins and cupcakes--pumpkin spice, blueberry and vanilla glaze. And to compliment them you walk past a counter where a barista is pouring hot chocolate in a plastic to go cup, adding a big top of whipped cream to complete it. You head inside and look around for your classmates. You see the three of them: Emily, Jessica and Brandon sitting in a corner near a big window that lets in some natural light making the place seem very picturesque, like a set from a film. You walk over and wave to get their attention. The three of them are wearing apparel with your university's logo on the front. One of them look up, it's [[Notice<-Emily]].

You go to use the restroom and when you come back you dont see Emily, Jessica and Brandon anywhere--you look around frantically. Where did they go??? You walk over to the table and notice that their backpacks and all their papers and materials that covered the table are gone. They left? Without telling you? .....Welp. You lean down to pick up your backpack off the floor once you reach the table when you notice a two men in bussiness suits staring at you two tables over. One gestures to you when talking in hushed whispers to the one. You make out only a few words from their exchange. "Stealing" is one of them. You freeze. They don't think you're just stealing someone's backpack and getting ready to take off with it, do they? Great. Just great. You take a minute to compose your face to what you hope looks like a confident one, like you are at ease, least anyone think you might look suspicious. This day can't get any worse, can it? You pick up your backpack, sling it over your shoulder and give what hopefully looks like a friendly wave to them and head out, not looking [[Outside1<-back]].

Your classmates finally notice you, "Hey You! We just got here! Join us!" Emily waves you over and you sit down. You open up your backpack and take out your notes and your laptop--you're all working on a podcast about topics you've all brainstormed regarding diversity in the film industry. You sit down and swing over laptop so Jessica can see your screen. You take a granola bar out your pocket and Jessica stops and looks at you. "What's up?" you ask and you follow her gaze and look down at your [[Hoodie2<-hoodie]]. Your [[Leather Jacket 2<-leather jacket]].

"Geez. Take your hood off, you totally look like 'Thug #1'. You're not an extra in a movie" Jessica cackles, catching the attention of Brandon and Emily and to your embarrassment--that side of the room inside the coffee shop. You duck your head and keep your eyes trained to your notebook. You knew you shouldn't have worn your hoodie today. The time breezes past and you get up to go to the restroom, muttering so to your groupmates as you stand up and [[Restroom<-go]].

"Geez. Is that a price tag?, Did you steal that and forget to take the tag off" Jessica cackles, catching the attention of Brandon and Emily and to your embarrassment--that side of the room inside the coffee shop. You duck your head and keep your eyes trained to your notebook. You knew you should have worn your hoodie today--this is your first time wearing this jacket. You were in a hurry today so you didn't even throughly check to see if there were any price tags or anything out of the place. Your bad. You quickly snag the tag and return to your notes. The time breezes past and you get up to go to the restroom, muttering so to your groupmates as you stand up and [[Restroom<-go]].

You walk up the steps to your apartment, physically and emotionally drained. This day has been long and hard. While searching for your keys in your backpack you end up leaning your head aganist the door, trying to center yourself. Out of nowhere you hear a police siren, car doors slam and movement by the bushes down below. When you start to turn around you to see what's going on, you hear a "DON'T MOVE. PUT YOUR HANDS UP SLOWLY," You blink. And for some nano seconds, you're stunned into a stupor. You can't imagine for the life of you why there is a cop yelling comands and possibly pointing a gun at you but this is happening and it is happening NOW. You start to hyper ventilate as you panic. You drop your backpack and half of its contents spill out at yoru feet, the top of your water bottle cracking and spilling what little water you had in there on your notebook, making the edges of the paper curl up. You straight your spine and slowly raise your arms, pressing yourself to the door. You close your eyes. You try to focus on controlling your [[End 2<-breathing]]. <<audio "mainsong" stop>> <<audio "policesiren" play>>

After the police officer approached, you were handcuffed and led to the curb and sat there for what seemed like forever but was only a little more than half an hour. They kept you there seated and under a watchful eye. Half the neighborhood came out to see what the fuss was and you sat there trying to shrink, trying to fold into yourself from the weight of their stares and hushed whispers directed at you. A light dizzle starts falling and you feel even colder now as the water hits you. Today, people have made microagressions via jokes at your expense, you've been followed around while shopping and you've been racially profiled. You were held at gun point terrified, humilated, cuffed like a criminal and now you're pretty much soaking wet. But you're alive. Welcome to America, this is the Black Experience. Hope you've enjoyed it. Every choice, every decision you make has a huge impact on the rest of your day. Hope you live another day. END. "We (black people) cheat death every time we live past 24 hours." -Bryant McClain <<audio "sadsong" play>>

You wake up, bleary to bright white lights.... Just where are you? You look around to see that you're lying down in a bed in what looks like a hospital room. You move around a bit to try to make your self more comfortable but this bed is as hard as a rock. You work on sitting up but your head is killing you something fierce. You close your eyes and try not to cry out from the pain but a few tears leak out and run down your face. A nurse comes in a few minutes and explains that you did suffer a concussion a few hours ago when a "concerned citizen" thought you were shop lifting and in their better judgement thought to tackle you to the floor. In the fall, you hit the floor first and awkwardly hit the edge of a metal railing for a shelf. Today, People have made microagressions via jokes at your expense, you've been followed around while shopping and you've been racially profiled. You're concussed and you're pretty sure this hospital bill is an expense you can't afford. But you're alive. Welcome to America, this is the Black Experience. Hope you've enjoyed it. Every choice, every decision you make has a huge impact on the rest of your day. Hope you live another day. END. "We (black people) cheat death every time we live past 24 hours." -Bryant McClain <<audio "sombersong" play>>

You've made it to the grocery store! It's store of a chain of one of those newer grocery markets, you know the ones that have gluten this and organic this and free trade items. It's a really neat place, you picked up blue potato chips last time you were here and they've become one of your favorite comfort foods. You look around and it's not busy at this hour, just a few people milling around this wide space. 90's alternative rock plays from the speakers. You smell something: bread. Yes, bread. Like Oprah, you love bread. A worker comes out to a tasting counter with pieces of garlic bread fresh from the oven as samples. You really love this place. You place both head phones in your ears and check your phone to click on one of your favorite super, super, super chill playlists you've made. You grab a basket and start at the deli, the meat section. You need shrimp as you're making jambalaya tonight and you've already got your chicken and sausage at home. So far so good. You've got a pep in your step as you grab a box of instant rice. You head to the [[BeveragesAisle1<-beverage aisle]].

Now outside the coffeeshop and walking away you try to shake off those bad vibes. You working on your breathing exercises and try to calm yourself. The day isn't over yet and you have a few errands to run! You do have to run to your local grocery store and grab a few things for dinner tonight. After you do that and get home to prep and put everything on, you have time to run to your local post office to mail off that package to Mom that you've been meaning to for a week now. Determined you set off to the grocery store, which is at the next corner. You walk [[GroceryStore1<-on]].

You're in the beverages aisle looking at what to bring home to drink...there's soda-Coke in those cool, old fashioned glass bottles. You remember using a bunch of empty Coke bottles as music instruments during summers when you were outdoors bored out of your minds with your cousins. These also made great improtu bowling pins on other ocassions when you kids used baseballs to knock them down. What else is there on the shelves... Oh! And there is sweet tea, made and bottled from a local legend, 'Auntie Sweets'. You smile looking down at the label with the adorable cartoony version of her. You've met her a few times at community events, where she is a very vocal person on pushing back on the gentrification that is easing up around the block and she gives several small scholarships to youth in the neighborhood. You think of Auntie Sweets and how she always greets you so warmly and pick up a container of her sweet tea and find room for in your little carry around basket. What else did you need? Oh right, [[Dessert1<-dessert]]!

You walk around a small child who is animatedly running around telling everyone and anyone that they love chocolate milk and that they are the king of it on your way to the desserts aisle. You see one of your classmates, Malik from COM 490 and nod. His tall height and huge afro making him seem like a giant and he ducks down a bit and returns the wave and a a brief nod. You're almost there to the dessert aisle but you stop in your tracks--you forgot you needed more lemon pepper! That's the one seasoning you're out of completely. You jog you mind for the last place you left it in the kitchen: its empty container sitting pitifully by the stove. Ahhhhhhhhh. Now you're going in circles. You turn around and walk straight into someone. You look up. It's the security guard. They wear a black uniform with lots of pockets and hooks for hanging things. They nod down at you and follow you with their eyes as you start moving. "Oh, hi." You let out. "Excuse me" You say as you walk around [[LemonPepper<-them]].

You're a bit flustered because you aren't usually that clumsy and hope the security guard willl forgive you. After picking up the lemon pepper seasoning and youre headed to the check out station at the fromt of the store. You're jiggling your left pocket around for your wallet when you hear a "Excuse me, Can I have you to step to the side for a moment please?" You look up to see it is the security guard, the very same one you bumped into earlier. You quickly take out your headphones. "Oh...Hi! Sure, what's up?" I awkwardly reply back, hoping they aren't mad at your clumisness earlier. You switch arms with the carry around grocery basket as it's starting to get heavy. You look back to the security [[TalkTalk<-guard]].

"We had a few folks point you out to us that you've been moving around the store kinda sporatically..." the security guard starts. You squint. What? The security guard contnues speaking but you look around to see other shoppers moving past shaking their heads at you with looks of disapppoval. Wait a minute. No. Seriously? They think you're shop lifting? But can you catch you a break? Like ever? Irritation pricks at you as you've had enough. You are just trying to get dinner taken care of tonight. You aren't stealing. You haven't lifted anything. This is getting out of hand. What do you do? Drop your basket and step to the security guard and give them a piece of your [[Mad<-mind]]? OR Wait for them to finish talking and follow their instructions even while people continue to walk past you whispering unkind things about [[Leaving<-you]]? <<audio "mainsong" stop>>

You know what? You've had enough. Why couldn't folks stay in their line, just mind their own business and leave you alone? You drop your basket and step forward to the security guard trying to plead your case to them: you haven't done anything wrong and you want to be treated like everyone else. But before you get too much closer to the security gaurd or into your passionate speech about how you're being treated differently, you feel the wind knocked out of you and then [[End 1<-darkness]]. <<audio "gettingmad" play>>

You try to center yourself and work to make yourself look as unagressive as possible. You straighten out your body langauge and You make sure you aren't crossing your arms. You wait for the secuity guard to finish talking and follow their instructions even though you are miffed. This shouldn't have to happen to you yet you gotta play it cool. Finally you are given the signal that you are good to go by the secuirty guard and you check out quickly not wanting to stay in the store any longer. A small group of older ladies who were watching your interactions with the security are outside the store with their baskets talking amongst themselves. They all stop talking and stare as you head out and down the street towards home with your bag of meager groceries tightly clutched to your [[Home1<-chest]].