Though the degree of these choices and the degree of risk may vary amongst us all, we [who are not white and/or straight] all in some way and at various points in our life approach the crossroads where we ask ourselves, how much of who we are do we want to compartmentalize or suppress in order to be treated like we're not different? It's a devastating fact of the lives of those who are different, that many of sameness or "normalcy" might never fully understand the plight of. It's so easy for those of privilege to say "Just be yourself! Who cares!" when they don't ever have to make the choice between being themselves or putting themselves in harm's way. For some people and in certain situations, it is quite literally a choice between one or the other.
-- Andrea Krystal, Can Black People Grow Hair?, p. 52
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