Maame

by Jessica George

“You’re not,” she says resolutely. “Maddie, what you’ll come to learn is that not everyone is capable of dating a Black woman. Not that—” Shu coughs. “Or an Asian woman,” Nia adds, and Shu nods. “Not that men who do are somehow superior, but there’s a level of learning and understanding that goes into it. You don’t just date her but her history too. Too much is going on and revealing itself for you to think love will conquer all. Does he educate himself, follow the news, raise his voice in uncomfortable conversations? Does he ever question the system that works very well for him but does the opposite for you? He doesn’t have to do it with a megaphone, but he does have to do it. You don’t want a boyfriend who isn’t racist, Maddie. You need a boyfriend who is actively anti-racist.

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“I wish I’d known this before I met Ben.” “Some things you’re not meant to be saved from,” Nia says. “Some things have to be lessons.”