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As an AA who grew up in a really small predominently white town---I can say there are pros and cons. In a small town people know who you are. They are less likely to put all of the stereotypes on you because you are not the black kid--you are so and so, son or daughter of so and so. Growing up I could walk in a store without money and tell the owner that I was taking an apple or whatever and ask them to write it down so my mom would pay when she came in...which could be anytime that week or the next. No one assumed I was trying to steal it. Now as an adult I can go to a boutique in NYC and have the entire store staff following me assuming I am going to steal something.
That said, as I got older I definitely felt more conspicious. It was hard during teen years ( dating or lack thereof). For the prom I did not go to my own prom, I went with an AA friend of the family ( and basketball star--lucky me) from a few towns over that was a more diverse town. It was interesting because after the prom the AA kids all went to a separate after-party so we could hear music that we liked. I did not hang out in that town that much--but it was great fitting in for a change.
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