Alicia Garza made a lot of interesting points in The power of identity politics. However the one i found to be the most interesting was how much power plays a big part when it comes to identity. It’s sad that those who have power will do anything to keep it to themselves including mistreating others in the process. She stated how “If we dont acknowledge that power works to the benefit of white, Christian, heterosexual, cisgender men, we will continue to blame those who are subjugated by that power for being subjugated, rather than working together to uproot the legacy of unevenly distributed power.” (Garza, 191-192). I couldn’t agree more with this because a big part of the problem is that people with power do not realize or accept how much power they actually have. How can you fix a problem when people can’t even own up to the role they play in it? It’s no secret that white people are already at an advantage over everyone for simply being white but majority of the time they are also the ones with the power to call the shots. Part of bringing about change is seeing and admitting there is a problem to begin with. This need for power only ends up resulting in people of color being affected, especially Black women. Forcing them to continue to suffer in silence for the benefit of others  and to continue being defined by these standards set for them is wrong. Like Alicia mentioned you cannot expect Black women to forget all that they’ve been through, for example “Under slavery they were forced to nurse white children while neglecting their own? Should Black women forget the ire they faced from white women who’s husbands lusted after Black women in subjugated positions?” (Garza, 189). This list doesn’t even stop here because until this day Black women are still fighting to be heard and respected. 

In Mario’s snapshot someone is holding up a sign that says “I am not a color” and this statement holds a lot of power. The color of one’s skin does not define them as a person and neither should it affect their ability to do certain things. People are being treated and placed in these categories based on something they have no control over, race. By people who think they are better because they are more privileged and able do things without their race playing a part. Instead of using this power to help others who are not that fortunate it is used to tear them down instead. In Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black To Be Latina Aleichia Williams talks about how hard it was to be both Black and Latina especially in school. Her story was touching and showed me how stereotypes can affect how one starts to view themselves. Feeling like they have to abide by society’s expectations. After trying to sit with the Hispanic girls at her school and not being accepted Aleichia mentioned “That was the first time I could remember being aware of my skin color and the overwhelming implications it held. This was also my first ‘race crisis’.” (Williams). This idea that you’re supposed to look and act a certain way for someone who is Black or Latina is false. Expectations don’t have to be your reality.