Maya Cotton

I had friends/co-workers that were getting married. They were getting married in a part of town that did not have many black people nor were they very welcoming of black people. I was hesitant in expressing my concerns about traveling to and being in the part of town where the festivities were being held; but I eventually did. 

When I did, the groom-to-be started making statements like “You won’t be the only black person there”. And “I have a lot of black friends”. 

I continued to express my lack of comfort to which he said “You should come. There will be fried chicken!". 

I was taken aback for a moment before responding that I don’t eat fried chicken. 

I later expressed to him why the comment was inappropriate, but honestly, it’s never left my mind.