I’m going to be honest.
It’s been really hard on me. I’m unapologetically black in a predominantly white space and I face battles that no one else has to deal with. Culturally I’m different from literally every other person in this space so I feel completely misunderstood at times.
People create fake accounts to harass me, I’ve been called the N word more times than I ever have in my life, people who I don’t even know go on podcasts and make up lies about me being a “runner”. Some people even found my mom’s number on the internet and called her house trying to get to me. Even when I’m winning it feels like every single bet or analysis is life or death. I don’t feel like I’m given the grace that other people may get who look different from me. I love what I do but I don’t deserve to be treated the way I’m treated by people especially for how much I’ve given to this space. I also don’t take kindly to being constantly called a DEI hire with all the things I’ve accomplished either.
I probably don’t handle it the best. Ivy League degree aside, deep down I’m still a black kid from South West Philly and when I feel attacked, I revert back to the version of me that had to survive growing up. I try not to engage as much and ignore the noise but I’m not perfect. I’m still growing and still trying to become the best version of myself.
I know it’s hard to tune out all the negative stuff, but a lot of it sounds like jealousy to me fwiw.
I know I’m just one guy, but thank you for the heater you’ve been on and how early you give the info out!