Who Cares If I’m An Oreo?

“Oreo,” “Coconut,” “Banana.” Those are words often used to describe people who don’t act the way they should.

In high school, I was called an “Oreo,” a Black person who acts White. It bothered me. How could I be an “Oreo” if I was just being myself—a reflection of my Black family and my multicultural group of friends? What does it mean to be an “Oreo”? And, most importantly, should I even care?

It took a while for me to accept my “Oreo-ness” and reject such petty high school labeling. It doesn’t matter that I talk a certain way and listen to certain kinds of music. No one cares if I have a lot of White friends. And if they did, I shouldn’t be hanging out with them anyway.

What truly matters is my opinion of myself, and I like my “Oreo”-self...dipped in milk.