Chapter 1
The Things We Carry
Inspired by Tim O’Brien’s reflections on the invisible burdens soldiers carry, this chapter explores the unseen weight of being a racialized body in predominantly white spaces. A conversation between Black men opens the door to how tokenism operates subtly, shaping both internal identity and external perception. It defines tokenism as the evolutionary arm of colonialism—control not through exclusion, but selective inclusion.
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🥂Random links are the neurodivergent off ramp. Nestled between paragraphs are what I expect you to click if you so decide to engage how this neurodivergent writer’s mind works. Totally optional.
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🌱 Getting Involved prioritizes action. Ways I planned for you to engage your body or mind like you would a rep in the gym. Reading the pages is the inhale, but getting involved is the exhale.
No Getting Involved in this chapter
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🧭 Side Quests this invites exploration without overwhelming. An exploration that is fully optional and for only if a section really lands for you but you want more about the topic… I got you. Each one extends the experience, turning a chapter into a journey:
🧭“…but that gave me something to think about.”
🧭“…tokenism is part of the exchange her mother makes for her family’s stability.”