We're all burdened by our history of racial inequality. It's created a kind of smog that we all breathe in, and it has prevented us from being healthy.
The burden of being black is that you have to be superior just to be equal. But the glory of it is that, once you achieve, you have achieved, indeed.
Many African-American men are incarcerated. And so African-American women do carry an enormous burden. And traditionally have carried a greater burden than perhaps their white counterparts.
To never think about race means that it doesn't really shape your life, or more specifically, the race that you have is not a burden to you.
Sometimes, when I was the only person of color in a room, you had to defend all the people of color everywhere.
I often find myself in situations where I am the token black person. It can feel like this enormous weight.
I think race has been a burden for black Americans. Being Muslim has also been a challenge because so many people do not understand Islam.
Black women are supposed to be 'strong,' but the burden of carrying our race and carrying our families adds the pressure.
Throughout my career, I was never able to relax; I always had to go on the field with another responsibility. I felt like I was playing, not just for my team, but for my race.
