**Navigating the Cultural Circus of Shenzhen**
Stepping off that plane in Shenzhen was like being handed a front-row ticket to a real-life cultural circus. Except, instead of performers and acrobats, I became the main attraction.
1. **The Attention is Real**
People had warned me: "People will stare," they said, as if it were a minor inconvenience, like getting stuck behind someone with a giant backpack at a subway station. But nothing prepared me for the full sensory overload of being the only Black person in a room of 500 people.
I wore my skin like fashion accessory, replying to comments about Africa and color with deadpan humor. Kids would point and giggle, their parents scrambling to shush them as if I was wild animal they'd accidentally brought into quiet library.
**A Shift from Playful to Uncomfortable**
But then the novelty wore off faster than cheap sunscreen on sunny day in Guangzhou. Stares turned uncomfortable, feeling like a silent judgment wrapped around curiosity.
A group of teenagers snuck up, snapped photo and whispered "Look she's real." When I sat calmly reading book in park bench they started whispering to each other – whispers that would turn into full-on stares when i got near
**The Subway Experience**
The subway was its own emotional rollercoaster. Kids asked why she so dark? a kid muttered 'She looks like chocolate bar'
I wanted laugh but my ribs hurt from clenching one time they said "You're not even real Chinese person, you are different"
Then came invisibility - being seen by staff then unseen when spoken – as if i didn't have humanity
**A Different Kind of Beauty**
Still there's a strange beauty in being only Black person in sea of gray and brown. It forced me to grow up fast.
I learned how to deflect awkward comments with sarcasm, walking high like auditioning for role
I started noticing kindness too – barista handed free drink with smile saying you're different but also here
**Claiming Space**
My truth: being Black in China isn't just about navigating stares or tourist attraction. It's claiming space not as an anomaly but a person with stories opinions and perfectly good cup of coffee.
The world always wants to categorize – "exotic," "rare", 'different' - But I've learned say I'm just me
The attention? Not burden it’s challenge And honestly turned into superpower
**You're Rewriting the Story**
If you’re Black person thinking about moving China or someone who ever felt too much different know this: your presence isn’t spectacle. It's revolution.
You re writing story – not just in but rewriting - and hey if asked "you from Africa" smile say 'No, I'm proud of roots' walk away with head held high
You’re thriving And that? That’s the real magic.
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