Society often reserves a particular set of low expectations and anger for Black women. Confident, knowledgeable women like Keanna confound and (in society’s view) reinforce such expectations when they assert themselves.

My first conscious memories of racism began in high school in San Antonio when a Latino student would regularly mock me, claiming that I have big lips. Later in life, a police stop in New York City was, by far, the most disturbing experience.

“Sincerely and reluctantly, I am a primary example of a public health crisis of racism. And that predates the Covid-19 pandemic.”