Are You Ashamed of Being Your True Ratchet Self?

So you've made it! You received your degree, got that salary paying job you prayed for, and finally moved into a neighborhood where you don't have to lock down your grill at night. You made it out the hood and now find yourself surrounded by and becoming friends with people that you may never would have crossed paths with before.  You know, the ones that love high culture and $150 bottles of wine that taste like rotten grapes. They constantly invite you to plays, alternative music concerts, and other activities that you have absolutely no interest in. You try to fit into their group but find yourself missing the spade games and cook outs that go into the next day or in other words you miss being your true "ratchet" self.

For many of my professional African American friends, there is a fine line between hiding your authentic self at the workplace or becoming a "sell out" by hiding any qualities of yourself that relate to "blackness". We are led to believe that we must tone it down while in the workplace by conforming to standards I believe that we place upon ourselves. I recall hearing a young lady say that she refuses to wear braids to work due to it being a "black girl" hairstyle. By looking at her you can immediately tell that she was a black woman so why would she believe that changing her hair she wouldn't be seen as such?

It is rather bothersome that activities, styles, or mannerisms that are related to some forms of black culture are automatically labeled as ratchet or ghetto. Some think that by avoiding anything considered "ghetto" they can somehow not be associated with people that look just like them but may have chosen a less than reputable path in life. Regardless of what someone address is, their education level, or what high end possessions they own, no matter what you do you will still be classified as ratchet to the small minded.  But my mama always say it's not what they call you but what you answer to. 

It remains that there will always be a time and a place for everything, yet if you find yourself going to great lengths to hide your authentic self, it may be time for a little self reflection. It is past time for black people to be free of what "others" may think and live for yourself as well the people that love you genuinely. Far too often we waste time caring about the opinions of people that really do not matter.

I'll be the first to admit that I love reading, writing, and traveling. I also love Remi hair and Tropical Punch Kool-aid.