I feel so alive when I lecture... about structural inequality...

Today I lectured on the women of color experience in the workplace covering the cyclical challenges that I/we encounter due to the intersections of my/our complex identities. There was a time when I was routinely called another black woman’s name even though there were very few of us on campus. My hair in its natural state might be intriguing but does not warrant unsolicited touching. My blackness does not make me the default spokesperson for the black community. My ability to articulate does not warrant frequent reminders of this ability coupled with equal parts of excitement and shock. When I tactfully say my name is Natalie, please do not touch my hair, I am not equipped to speak on behalf of my entire race, and please do not praise me for being articulate, kindly refrain from labeling my mild assertiveness as anger when it is not... even though I have every right to be. 

​I feel so alive when I lecture…