Being the Black Guy

So it seems that in my moves from state to state I have found myself in decreasingly diverse communities. When I left California to move to Arizona I was surprised how little of a Black community there was. The Black population in Phoenix was 4% but you could definitely find a great share of Black owned businesses, barbershops, plenty of Black churches, etc. When we moved from Arizona to Greeley, I was beyond shocked, in fact even depressed at the .87% Black population in town. As noted in an earlier blog, I can't even find a person to cut my hair within a 2 hour drive (I have since made the long trip to Denver to haircut and even set a hair appointment back in Sacramento when I visit).

So since I've been here, and particularly since I am teaching at the university, I find myself, moreso than ever before, becoming "the Black guy" where I am now the official spokesperson for all things Black and all things intellectually Black. I have already received various invites to speak at engagements and I find myself in an interesting predicament. On one hand, I realize that I AM a Black scholar and this is what I do. I study Black people. So I guess it is not outrageous that I get asked to speak on various topics. But I can't help to wonder if I'm being asked because of my expertise or simply because I'm the only option in town. The latter would then make me wonder if I lived in a more diverse city, with other Black scholars, would I still be called upon to speak on such issues, or would someone else be more qualified? I guess in my particular situation, I will never know until the university or community attracts more Black scholars. And so, until then, I will just proudly assume my post as the "Black Guy"